A MAN who assaulted a woman and threatened to jump off Clacton Pier and kill two children has avoided jail.

Rhys Carlisle punched a female repeatedly at a home in the town on January 25.

After being arrested, he told a police officer he was going to get a one-year-old and three-year-old and jump off a pier killing them all.

Carlisle, 27, of Skelmersdale Road, Clacton, was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court.

He had previously admitted one count of assault by beating and one count of making threats to kill intending for the police officer to fear the threat would be carried out.

Judge David Turner QC said: “You behaved quite disgracefully on January 25.

“She did not deserve the assault faced on that day.

“You repeatedly punched her.

“It was vile bullying of which I hope you are genuinely ashamed.

“It did not end there.

“You made threats at a police station to an officer you were going to take two kids and jump off the pier.

“It was a vile thing to say.”

He was jailed for six weeks for the assault, suspended for two years.

He was given a concurrent sentence of three months for the threats, also suspended for two years.

While on the suspended sentence, he will have to carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days as part of the order.