A BURGLAR who attacked his victim after being caught in the act has been jailed.

Justin Manley committed a series of crimes during the summer and admitted them all when he appeared at court and was sentenced to a total of ten months in prison.

The most serious was a violent burglary.

Mark Brown, prosecuting at Chelmsford Crown Court, said: “The victim was walking along Mulberry Avenue in Colchester when he noticed a couple of rolls of cable on the side of the road opposite the lock ups, one of which was his.

“As he got level he looked over and saw the door of his lock up was open.”

The victim had popped out to get a Chinese takeaway but instead found Manley, 49, inside the premises and when he asked what was going on Manley punched him in the face.

The victim tried to stop Manley escaping and to call the police but dropped his phone in the tussle.

Manley escaped with £350 worth of tools and equipment.

The court heard in 2014, Manley, who had moved to Scotland, was given a community order for battery against a woman and in 2016 assaulted the sister of a former partner. shoving her out of a house.

He admitted one count of common assault.

He broke a front door during a row with a former partner in July also in Colchester.

Manley admitted one count of criminal damage.

And he failed to surrender to court in August.

Judge David Turner QC said: “Three of these crimes were committed while you were subject to a community order.”

Speaking about the burglary he said: “You did not face a separate assault charge. In my opinion you should have done.

“It is certainly an aggravating factor. I have seen a distressing photo showing significant bruising. This is a serious burglary.”

Manley was jailed for eight months for burglary, one month consecutive for common assault on a woman, one month consecutive for failing to surrender and one month concurrent for criminal damage.

In total the sentences was ten months and he will serve half in prison.