Alcohol abuse is behind almost half of all crime in north Essex, a special Gazette investigation has revealed.

We looked at more than 120 cases brought before Colchester magistrates over the past fortnight.

More than 50 of them – or more than 40 per cent – were alcohol-related.

The amount of drug-related crime was just a fraction of that fuelled by drink.

But alcohol was a factor in a huge percentage of domestic assaults and public disorder offences.

One prosecutor said he thought drink and drugs combined were a factor in eight out of ten cases before the courts.

Drink-related crimes reported by the Gazette in the past fortnight alone includes:

- A Clacton drink-driver who was caught a second time – just months after completing a special rehab course

- A Colchester chef who launched a drunken attack on his terrified girlfriend.

- A Halstead dad who beat up his partner after coming home from the pub

- A teenage girl who bit a policeman’s arm outside a Colchester bar

- An 18-year-old alcoholic who went on a window-smashing spree on the town’s East Hill

- A woman who crashed her car while almost four times the drink-drive limit

- A man who threatened to shoot his wife’s puppy after downing vodka.

Offenders can be put on alcohol treatment programmes as part of their sentence if they admit having a serious booze problem.

The Gazette carried out the investigation after police warned they were launching a crackdown on drink-fuelled violence in the run-up to Christmas.

Officers said the investigation showed how revellers getting into trouble could expect to land in the dock – and risked putting jobs and family life on the line.

Insp Andy Fusher warned those preparing for Christmas Eve celebrations: “Your life is for life, not just for Christmas.

“People just need to think about the consequences of one night or one afternoon for the rest of their lives. It can take away not only the victim’s life but that offender’s as well, and end their dreams and aspirations.

“We have extra police officers in the town all over Christmas.”

District Judge David Cooper, who sits every Thursday at Colchester Magistrates’ Court, has said he would not be surprised if alcohol is one day reclassified as a dangerous drug.

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