A MALDON man has been jailed for three years for his role in a “vicious and animalistic assault”.

Mamun and Anis Miah, Luke Saggs and Daniel Williamson set upon Lee Knight and Alex Waterman while on a night out in Chelmsford High Street.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard how Mamun Miah threw Mr Knight to the ground and punched him, before his co-defendants joined in, with Anis Miah stamping on him repeatedly. After Mr Waterman tried to intervene, he was attacked before the brothers high-fived and bumped fists.

After admitting a series of charges, all four appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court for sentencing on Monday.

Anis Miah, 23, of Cross Road, Maldon was jailed for three years for GBH and 12 months concurrent for violent disorder. This will be served alongside an existing sentence for assault.

Judge Patricia Lynch QC told Anis Miah: “I am not surprised you can’t meet my eyes, this was a vicious, animalistic assault. You went back and stamped and kicked this man’s head. There is no excuse for your behaviour.”

Mamun Miah, 27, also of Cross Road, Maldon, admitted GBH, ABH violent disorder and contempt of court, and was given 18 months, suspended for two years, plus 200 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Lynch told him: “I think you are possibly one of the stupidest people who has ever come in front of me. I am not saying this to insult you. The reason you are not going to prison for a long time for contempt is because I take the view that you acted through stupidity rather than maliciousness.”

Mr Knight suffered injuries including a fractured eye socket, fractured nose, bruised eye, lip and nose and swelling to his head in the attack. Mr Waterman was also injured, suffering bruising to his forehead and nose and swelling to his eye.

All four defendants said they were remorseful for their actions, while Saggs and Williamson said they had turned their lives around.

The brothers were handed a restraining order to stop them contacting a witness who was due to give evidence in their trial.

Saggs, 21, of Tintagel Way, Maldon, and Williamson, 24, of Onslow Crescent, Colchester, were both given 18 months for GBH, 12 months concurrent for both ABH and violent disorder, suspended for 12 months. They were also handed 200 hours of unpaid work.