A teenager who led a mob to his ex-girlfriend's house, attacked her young brother and helped break a stranger's nose has been locked up for more than two years.

Thomas Lovell, 19, of Rayleigh Road, Stanford-le-Hope, had admitted criminal damage, common assault and causing actual bodily harm when he appeared at Basildon Crown Court.

Matthew Gowen, prosecuting, said Lovell had a brief relationship with a 15-year-old girl last year, then started seeing another girl.

The two girls then became friends, and Lovell's new girlfriend lent her some clothes.

On July 28 this year, the 15-year-old told her mother she was worried about returning some of the clothes.

Soon after, a group of young people - including Lovell - gathered outside the house shouting abuse, and Lovell kicked in the front door.

The next day, Lovell was staying at a friend's house, together with the girl's 14-year-old brother. He decided the boy was becoming too friendly with one of the girls in the group and punched him in the eye, causing bruising.

On the evening of September 17, he and two other young men attacked a student who tried to protect a group of girls they had confronted.

Lovell was carrying an iron bar - although he did not use it - and was one of two people who kicked the student in the head after he had been pushed to the floor, breaking his nose.

Mr Gowen said Lovell had a string of previous convictions, including violence, and had been released on licence just weeks before the first of the offences.

Hugh Blake-James, in mitigation, said Lovell had an "almost uncontrollable" temper, which he was now trying to control, and had been prescribed anti-psychotic medication.

Lovell was remorseful, and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity, he added.

Judge Philip Clegg ordered Lovell to serve the remaining 12 months of his previous sentence, and imposed another 14 months to be served consecutively.

By Jo Moorhouse

Reporter's e-mail: jo.moorhouse@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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