An engineer attacked three terrified children in a telephone box after pestering passersby for money, a court heard.

Jamie Brooker, 26, of Stour View Avenue, Mistley, was jailed for a total of eight months and 14 days by Colchester magistrates after admitting five counts of common assault, theft, criminal damage, failure to surrender to custody and failing to comply with a community service order.

He attacked three girls, aged between 12 and 13, in High Street, Manningtree, on August 31.

The court heard Brooker held one of the girls - an asthmatic - by her neck for 20 seconds. Since the ordeal, she has suffered post-traumatic stress disorder.

Annette Redgrave, prosecuting, said Brooker went after the girls as they tried to call for help.

She said: "They went to a phone box to call their parents. He forced open the box and tried to get the telephone off her. He then slapped her around the face and grabbed another one and pushed his fist against her throat."

Brooker also grabbed hold of the third girl and held her.

Before attacking the girls, Brooker had smashed a car window and punched a driver who had declined Brooker's demand for £10.

Brooker also admitted trying to steal two pairs of sunglasses from a Colchester shop on May 13.

Paul Roach, mitigating, said the assaults were out of character and that he was deeply ashamed.

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