A CAREER criminal has been sentenced after he damaged a ‘Vote Labour’ sign in the run-up to the General Election.

Michael Winton, 58, appeared before Colchester Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, October 30 where he was accused of approaching his victim and calling him a paedophile.

The behaviour continued for a week from April 30 until May 7, and the defendant also damaged a ‘Vote Labour’ sign which was in the victim’s front garden.

Winton, of St James Place, Colchester, admitted one charge each of harassment and criminal damage.

He has previous convictions for striking his pregnant wife in 2005 and threatening a person with a knife in 2018.

He was also convicted the same year of sending a letter conveying an indecent or offensive message.

Magistrates ordered Winton to pay £200 in damages to his victim and carry out a 120-day alcohol abstinence requirement.

He will also be required to wear an electronic monitoring tag, but will be subject to curfew conditions of staying at St James Place between 5pm and midnight each evening until it is fitted.

Judges concluded the sentence by imposing a restraining order preventing Winton from contacting his victim or entering Reynards Copse in Highwoods until October next year.