A MAN has avoided jail despite another conviction for assault.

Richard Helliwell, 47, admitted assault on another man when he appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court, and accepted he was in breach of a suspended sentence order he was given last year for two different attacks.

But he was allowed to walk free after he was given an eight week jail term suspended for 12 months.

Helliwell, of Tyndale Square, Colchester, is banned from contacting the victim and has been handed a curfew which stops him leaving his home between 7pm and 7am.

He will also pay a £115 victim surcharge and costs of £85.