A MAN must complete 225 hours of unpaid work after admitting attacking two girls while they celebrated New Year’s Eve in a Maldon pub.

Edward Greaves, of Sceptre Close, Tollesbury, admitted assaulting Courtney Armstrong and Jessica Barton at on January 1 this year when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court last Tuesday.

He had been due to stand trial after initially denying the offences before later changing his plea to guilty.

Greaves, 45, was ordered to complete 225 hours of unpaid work and pay £125 compensation to Ms Barton plus £250 compensation to Ms Armstrong.

Ms Armstrong, of Maldon, had been left with bruising on her face after the altercation in The Swan pub on High Street.

The terrifying incident knocked her confidence and left her scared to leave her home.

She was at court last week with her mum Kelly Ricketts to hear the outcome of the case.

Kelly said: “I am glad he changed his plea to guilty but I am not glad of the sentence he was given. We were hoping for a tougher sentence.

“I don’t think the justice system is fair. But maybe it is tougher on him as he has got to pay so much compensation and do so many hours community service.”

Kelly, 36, said her daughter, who is now seven months pregnant, was still scared to go out.

She said: “She suffers from anxiety and this has knocked her 10 steps backwards. She doesn’t go out on her own, she doesn’t want to go out. She is worried about seeing him or bumping into him in Maldon.”

A third charge relating to the assault of another woman was dismissed after no evidence was offered.

Greaves was handed an 18 month community order and was also ordered to pay £460.