Oliver Sheppard, 28, of Park Road in Clacton, was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on January 16 after pleading guilty there on January 8.

Sheppard had entered The Toby Carvery restaurant in Marine Parade West on December 10 at 12.25 am.

He walked up to a worker and sprayed him in the face and chest with an unknown liquid.

Sheppard then took the victim’s coat and car keys and drove off with his car.

The victim called 999.

The victim’s car was spotted by officers at 1.30am in St John’s Road in Clacton.

Officers followed the car closely before the it then crashed into the Brace of Pistols pub with Sheppard running from the scene.

He was then chased by officers on foot when he was arrested.

Sheppard was taken to custody where he was charged.

Investigating officer Dc Michael Evans, of Clacton CID, said: “This was a completely unprovoked attack on a man who was cleaning up ahead of his shift. Fortunately he didn’t require hospital treatment and police were quickly called.

“We located the vehicle in just under an hour and Sheppard in his attempt to escape, crashed into a pub and was quickly apprehended. He will now have time to think about his actions while in a prison cell.”