A COLCHESTER chef became embroiled in a 20-minute punch-up which "the public did not need to see" after reportedly being racially abused, a court heard. 

Wilhelm Ludvig, 25, was involved in a fight with two other men, Augustinas Rumbutis and Constantin Sorescu, in March last year.

Though it is not known how the ruckus started, the violence escalated as Serescu aimed a kick at Rumbutis before the brawl eventually died down.

It soon erupted again, however, when Rumbutis allegedly used racially aggravated language towards Ludvig and Sorescu, with one of the men’s girlfriends attempting to break the fight up before she was struck in the process.

Gazette: Violent – one man was kicked in the head as the culprits' girlfriends tried to interveneViolent – one man was kicked in the head as the culprits' girlfriends tried to intervene (Image: Newsquest)

Ludvig, of Greenstead Road, Colchester, who appeared in Ipswich Crown Court last Thursday, admitted affray when he appeared in Colchester Magistrates' Court in November.

His co-defendants, Sorescu, 34, and Rumbutis, 23, denied affray and will stand trial next year.

Mr Brennan, prosecuting, said: “What’s clear from the account provided is that all three males were engaged in punching each other and had to be separated by people present at the scene.

“At one point a kick was aimed at the head of Mr Rumbutis. It’s not significant violence but it is more than minimal.”

Miss Donovan, defending, said Ludvig’s actions were out of character given he works as a chef and Deliveroo driver so support his three-year-old daughter, whilst his wife works at a Premier Inn.

She said: “A relatively young man who has lived in this country for five years, he’s got a wife who works two days per week for the Premier Inn and earns £700 per month doing that.

“He’s got a daughter who is three years old.

Gazette: Sentence – Judge Pugh decided against a suspended sentence because of Ludvig's lack of previous convictions, and his efforts to support his three-year-old daughterSentence – Judge Pugh decided against a suspended sentence because of Ludvig's lack of previous convictions, and his efforts to support his three-year-old daughter (Image: Newsquest)

“He is working as a chef at Al Pacino’s in Colchester – he cooks special Italian food having lived in Italy prior to coming to this country.

“They earn £23,000 together because they are entitled to benefits.”

Judge Pugh sentenced Ludvig to an 18-month community order which included 100 hours of unpaid work, ten rehab activity days, and a £114 victim surcharge.

He said: “At one stage, matters could have stopped and everyone could have left the scene, but Rumbutis threw insults at you and it erupted all over again.

“It was a brawl that the public did not need to see on the streets of Colchester.”