A jury has convicted Aaron Baker after he made insulting gestures to witnesses across a courtroom.

Baker, 21, of Godman Road, Chadwell St Mary, used his fingers as if to fire a gun in the direction of assault victim John Edwards and members of his family.

The defendant later made threats against the Edwards family in front of two police officers.

And during his trial at Basildon Crown Court Baker claimed magistrates were appointed after being "dragged in off the streets."

He was unanimously found guilty by the jury on four counts of threatening to take revenge on the witnesses.

Baker was remanded in custody for pre-sentence reports on August 9.

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