TWO thugs have been warned to expect significant time behind bars for their part in a brutal town centre assault.

Zak Farmer and William Atkins attacked two other men when rival groups met outside Missoula night club, in Head Street, Colchester.

The brawl, which was caught on CCTV and on taxi dashcam footage, broke out when Atkins elbowed one victim, causing him to fall to the ground unconscious.

A friend of the victim then confronted Atkins and threw a punch before he too was punched and knocked to the floor unconscious.

While the second victim was on the ground, Farmer kicked and punched him once in the head.

That victim suffered a bleed on his brain which required three days treatment in hospital.

The pair, both 20, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm on September 11 at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday and were warned to expect a prison sentence for their actions.

Farmer, of Howard Close, Braintree, is in breach of two suspended sentences, for burglary and theft, while Atkins, of Langham Drive, in Clacton, is in breach of four suspended sentences, including for criminal damage, wounding and battery.

Solicitors for the pair asked Judge David Turner, QC, to delay sentencing and grant the pair bail over the Christmas period in order to get their affairs in order.

Atkins had also secured a job over Christmas.

Despite telling the pair they are “in serious risk of going inside” Judge Turner agreed to adjourn the case for sentencing but denied them bail.

He said: “You have each, for different reasons, asked for sentenced to be adjourned and I am prepared to grant that.

“For you, Mr Farmer, it is for a psychiatric report to be prepared but I am afraid you will be in custody while that it done.

“Mr Atkins, you are subject to four suspended sentences, one of which was imposed just one month before the incident you have pleaded guilty to today.

“I am sorry if you came to court today with anything other a reasonable expectation of immediate custody.

“Your pattern of offending is such that I haven’t got the slightest trust you will conduct yourself accordingly if you were to be given bail.”

Atkins was convicted of unlawful wounding and handed a suspended sentence just a month before the Head Street assault.

Judge Turner added: “He had that conviction and that sentence hanging over him and a month later he was stuffing another victim.”

Speaking directly to Farmer, he added: “Mr Farmer, you yourself have breached two suspended sentences.”

The pair will be sentenced next month.