A JEALOUS ex-boyfriend who attacked two men outside a nightclub after he watched his former girlfriend get chatted up has been spared jail.

Daniel Burgess lashed out at Daniel Crawford, breaking his nose and chipping a tooth, and then punched his friend Michael King, in Clacton town centre, Chelmsford Crown Court heard.

The 21-year-old supermarket worker admitted causing actual bodily harm and common assault.

Burgess, of Farmleigh Avenue, Clacton, was given a six-month jail sentence, suspended for two years.

Recorder Stanley Spence QC also ordered Burgess should carry out 200 hours unpaid work.

Marcus Croskell, prosecuting, said Mr Crawford and Mr King were in a nightclub on July 25 last year with three young women, including one who used to go out with Burgess.

Later, while waiting for a taxi, Burgess knocked down Mr Crawford with a single blow to the face and continued to punch his face and head.

The victim did not retaliate to the unprovoked attack.

Burgess also punched Mr King once.

The defendant’s former girlfriend screamed for him to stop, which he did, he added.

John Livingston, mitigating, said Burgess thought his former girlfriend was going to go off with Mr Crawford.

He continued: “It was the final straw for him, watching those men chatting up his former girlfriend for a substantial part of the evening.

“He was feeling jealous in seeing his former girlfriend with another man.”

Burgess was of previous good character, he added.

The judge ordered Burgess to pay £500 compensation to Mr Crawford, who has since emigrated to New Zealand, and £100 to Mr King.