A ROOFER who headbutted a man who confronted him for walking in the middle of the road later bit police officers when they tried to arrest him.

Mitchell Cox, 26, was in Colchester city centre when member of the public shouted: “Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard on Tuesday that Cox, who had walked into oncoming traffic, then attempted to headbutt the victim who “struck out in self-defence”.

Pursuit - Mitchell Cox pursued Ewan Sturrock into Buzz Bingo and then assaulted a member of staffPursuit - Mitchell Cox pursued Ewan Sturrock into Buzz Bingo and then assaulted a member of staff (Image: Google Street View)

Serena Berry, prosecuting, said Cox then pursued his victim who fled to Buzz Bingo Hall in Osborne Street.

Cox then struck a member of staff and fled to the nearby NCP car park.

When police tried to arrest him, Cox threw a bottle of liquid at an officer, kneed them to the thigh and tried bite their hand.

As the struggle continued, Cox then headbutted a second police officer in the face and bit them on the arm.

Cox, of Coldnailhurst Avenue, Braintree, admitted two counts of assaulting an emergency worker, common assault, and assault by beating.

The court heard Cox was already subject to a community order at the time of the offence and had “failed to behave in an acceptable manner”, according to a probation officer who said he left one unpaid work session early because he had to start a shift.

Paula Fell, mitigating, said Cox had not received assistance from mental health services following a previous sentence.

She said: “It’s no wonder he’s walking down roads in a bad state.

“He works six days a week in industrial roofing and earns £1,300 per week after tax.

“He’s with his partner and they are expecting their first child in June 2025.

“He accepts there are problems with alcohol but he has not had the rehab assistance from either mental health or the probation service.”

Sentence - Mitchell Cox will appear before Chelmsford Magistrates' Court next monthSentence - Mitchell Cox will appear before Chelmsford Magistrates' Court next month (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

Ms Fell added Cox lives with his 90-year-old grandmother and is “clearly a very productive member of society".

Chair of the bench Margarat Macallen adjourned the sentence so a pre-sentence report can be prepared.

She told Cox he will still face a possible prison term when he appears before Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Monday, December 16.