TWO men who were involved in a disturbance at a pub have been handed suspended jail terms.

Ross Frame and Andrew Waters, both aged 44, were at The Playhouse pub in St John’s Street, Colchester on January 2 when they became abusive and threatening towards other people.

Frame, of South Street, Colchester, and Waters, of Forest Road, Colchester, stood trial at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on October 23.

The court heard how Frame began shouting and swearing at two members of the public, and was asked by the bar manager to leave after becoming increasingly aggressive and disruptive.

Frame threatened to stab him and to smash a glass over his head.

Waters then repeatedly pushed the bar manager in the chest.

Frame also racially abused a second member of staff.

In a personal statement read aloud in court, the victim described the fear they now feel in their place of work, asking the question: “if they would do this inside my place of work, what would they do outside?” and added that the comments made him feel “unwanted” in this country.

Waters was found guilty of assault by beating and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

Frame was convicted of racially or religiously aggravated threatening behaviour and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

They were sentenced on Wednesday, December 18.

Frame was given a 15-week jail term suspended for 12 months and made subject of a three-month curfew, monitored by electronic tag. He was ordered to pay £650 costs and £115 victim surcharge.

Waters was given a nine-week jail term suspended for 12 months and ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work. He must pay a £115 victim surcharge and £650 costs.

Both were banned from The Playhouse for 12 months.

Investigating officer, PC Scott Lewis, of Colchester’s Local Policing Team, said: “I would like to thank members of the public for their support in this investigation.

"It is always nice to see the community coming together to support one another against hateful speech.

"I hope the victims feels they able to move forward from this and find closure in the court's decision to find these men guilty."