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A judge stunned a courtroom by using the C-word as she jailed a racist thug.

Vile John Hennigan, 50, was being sentenced by Judge Patricia Lynch QC when he told her she was "a bit of a c***"

But, taking no prisoners, the judge immediately retorted: "You are a bit of a c*** yourself. Being offensive to me doesn't help."

Hennigan shouted back: "Go f*** yourself."

"You too," replied the judge.

(Image: Central News)

Judge Lynch dropped the C-bomb as she jailed Hennigan for 18 months for insulting a black Caribbean mother.

He told Tanisha Ford: "I don't agree with inter-racial relationships. I like natural" later adding: "I prefer white children".

The court heard Hennigan has 23 convictions for 47 offences, many of them involving Nazi salutes and racist incidents.

The latest offence, committed in his hometown of Harlow, Essex, was his ninth breach of an ASBO banning him from acting in an anti social way or using racist language.

In October 2012 he was seen performing a Nazi salute in a central London pub and calling black people vile racial slurs.

Describing Tanisha's reaction to Hennigan's racist outburst, Prosecutor Lynne Shirley said: "She was shocked and surprised.

(Image: PA)

"The incident made her feel very upset, hurt, out of place and distressed. She was alarmed her children had to listen to the comments."

While sentencing Hennigan at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday, Judge Lynch told him: "Your offence is thoroughly unpleasant and repeated breaches of this order using the most unpleasant of language and causing distress.

"It's said custody would be distressing for you but it seems you never learn.

"This is the ninth time you have breached this order, the same offensive, racist comments and you don't deserve another chance."

It was at this point that Hennigan began talking directly to the judge and swearing at her.

Following their c-word exchange Hennigan banged on the glass panel of the dock, performed a Nazi salute and twice shouted "Sieg Heil" before starting to sing "Jews gas them all...."

Judge Lynch, still speaking in a measured tone, commented: "We are all really impressed. Take him down."

It isn't the first time the judge has been in the limelight.

Last year, Judge Lynch apologised for not jailing a pervert pensioner who abused teenage girls.

She spoke out after Michael Taylor admitted sexually assaulting two youngsters at Mistley Place Park animal sanctuary.

The 75-year-old groomed, kissed and groped the two girls, forcing kisses on them and touching one teen's breasts.

Taylor admitted the sickening acts and was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court however he avoided jail after Judge Lynch said her hands were tied by strict sentencing guidelines.

She told the victims and their families she wanted to pass a longer than minimum prison term, possibly suspended but due to the guidelines she could only pass down a 36-month community order.