According to Essex Police, at around 10.50pm on Wednesday March 4, officers in Samsons Road were flagged down by Higgins who was unsteady on his feet and had slurred speech. He became agitated before being arrested for being drunk and disorderly. While being put into a police van, Higgins kicked out and struck an officer in the head, began spitting and caused damage. While in custody, Higgins spat in an officer's face after pretending to be asleep during a welfare check.

After the case, Chief Inspector Lily Benbow, District Commander for Tendring, said: "Our officers attended a disturbance and found Higgins who was clearly intoxicated. Higgins then assaulted two of my officers in one instance spitting in the face of an officer checking his welfare. His behaviour was totally unacceptable and the courts have sent him to prison for his actions. I hope this will cause others to think twice about assaulting my officers. Such behaviour will not be accepted."

• Officers from Brightlingsea's community policing team will be available to answer questions and discuss concerns with local residents on Thursday, August 27 outside Brightlingsea Fire Station in Lower Park Road from 10am to noon.