A reveller who kicked a police officer and hit a doorman with a belt on a night out in Colchester had a "drink problem".

Faizal Mohamed, of Kemp, The Concourse, London, appeared in court today in a black tracksuit after he was involved in a fight outside ATIK nightclub in Colchester last year.

He had been found guilty at a trial in his absence – which he failed to attend due to weather conditions – and was sentenced to a total of nine months for common assault and assault of a police constable today (March 26).

Outlining the case, prosecutor Eleanor Scott-Davies described how police were called to the Colchester nightclub at around 3.10am on March 25 last year.

Mohamed had been involved in a fight outside the club with an unknown male and was seen using a belt to strike the other man.

As a result of his behaviour he was detained by door staff but soon struck one of the doormen in the face with the belt, which caused no visible injury.

By the time police arrived, Mohamed had been released by the door staff but was still in the area.

He was later identified by police and was arrested, but he resisted and kicked an officer several times as he tried to get away.

Mohamed’s conviction put him in breach of a suspended sentence that he had picked up last year for affray when he was involved in a fight inside a Costcutter store in Wembley.

The defendant also has a host of previous convictions including taking a vehicle, possession of a knife and possession of a bladed article amongst others.

“He has stated the issue is drink,” said Leena Lakhani, defending during mitigation.

“He does not know when to stop and it is something he accepts and something he knows he has to deal with.

“I understand he has not done any hours of unpaid work but it was simply that last thing on his mind.

“He hasn’t worked but he says he wants to find a job so that he can put this behind him.

“He also says he is happy to engage with probation.”

The probation service confirmed that Mohamed had been offered nine appointments and failed to attend a single one, prior to Judge Christopher Morgan passing sentence.

“You have a history of problems with disorder as well as drugs and your counsel tells me that drink plays a significant part of your offending,” said Judge Morgan.

Mohamed was then handed the original six month jail sentence from his previous conviction and three months for the assault of the police officer.

He was further given one month for the assault by beating, to run concurrently, and seven days for failing to surrender, also to run concurrently.

Mohamed will serve half of his total nine months in prison and has already served one month having been held in custody since February 26, 2018.