A THUG from Brightlingsea has been jailed for nine months after failing to appear in court.

Joshua Sergeant, 23, was arrested by police on Saturday and sent to prison after previously being convicted in his absence for affray and breaching bail conditions.

Sergeant, of Bellfield Avenue, Brightlingsea, failed to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates Court for trial on Monday June 25, following an incident outside the Kings Head pub, Victoria Place, Brightlingsea at around 10.05pm on Saturday May 6.

During this incident, Sergeant was involved in a number of altercations with people at the pub, which resulted in man suffering a number of injuries and needing hospital treatment.

Investigating officer DC Robin Coltman said: "This was a frightening and despicable incident involving innocent members of the public who were innocently enjoying themselves at a karaoke evening.

"During this incident threats were made, a car was damaged and a number of people were assaulted.

"We would like to thank the members of the public who stood up to Sergeant and assisted us in apprehending him."

Sergeant received eight months for affray and one month for breaching bail to run consecutively, totalling nine months behind bars.