A Tiptree man has been jailed for six months for a string of offences, including what magistrates described as "very unpleasant" assaults.

Thomas Briggs, 22, of Cedar Avenue, had been convicted of three assaults in Anchor Road, Tiptree, on April 27 last year.

Colchester magistrates yesterday heard the offences took place after the defendant was discovered lying between two parked vehicles.

When John Arrowsmith and Andrew Showell tried to move Briggs on, Briggs spat at Mr Arrowsmith and punched him.

Mr Arrowsmith punched Briggs back and Mr Showell tried to restrain Briggs, Colchester Court heard.

But Briggs bit Mr Showell's hand, leaving a flap of skin and a lot of blood, the bench was told.

When Mr Arrowsmith's brother became involved, he was bitten in the chest by Briggs.

In another incident, the court heard Briggs had filled a car with £28.02 of fuel in a Carlisle garage and driven off without paying for it on January 26.

He was stopped by police but gave false details and was arrested. His fingerprints revealed his true identity and he admitted the theft.

He was banned from driving and had no insurance but had driven home as his girlfriend's mother was unable to look after his girlfriend's child and he wanted to get back, the court heard.

Briggs also faced two counts of theft from shops dating from May last year, when he had taken a £658 cutlery set and been involved in the theft of £835.50 of toiletries.

In September 2002, a drug treatment and testing order was imposed on Briggs to run at the same time as a community rehabilitation order.

But Briggs did not comply with the orders, the court heard.

Last July, Briggs had grabbed a knife during an argument with his mother, and had been charged with affray, for which he was sentenced to a community rehabilitation order.

Magistrates also heard he had failed to surrender to the court in December.

The community rehabilitation orders were rescinded and, for each of the three assaults, Briggs was sentenced to three months in prison, to run concurrently.

For the affray he was sentenced to one month, to run concurrently, and for each of the two thefts he was ordered to serve one month in jail, to run consecutively to each other and consecutively to the other sentences.

For driving while disqualified, he was jailed for one month, to run concurrently with the other sentences, and disqualified from driving for six months.

For failing to surrender to the court, he was ordered to serve seven days concurrently

Published Wednesday, February 5, 2003

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