A Tory MP's 20-year-old son has been jailed four years after being found guilty of smashing a plumber over the head with a champagne-style bottle during an argument at a nightclub.

David Amess Jnr, son of the current Southend West and former Basildon MP David Amess, attacked Paul Trussler during a fight at the Talk Club in Southend, in May, Chelmsford Crown Court heard.

Stephen Rose, prosecuting, said that trouble flared when Mr Trussler accidentally stood on Amess's foot.

Amess told police that he hit Mr Trussler with the bottle in self defence.

Judge Charles Gratwicke was told that Amess had suffered psychiatric problems.

* Full story in today's Echo