A Braintree man's new Saudi Arabian business venture could be put in doubt after he was jailed for a homophobic attack.

But Stuart Makemson, 43, of Twelve Acres, was granted a reprieve when magistrates bailed him pending an appeal over his sentence for one charge of assault and one of causing harassment, alarm and distress.

Chelmsford magistrates court heard that asbestos remover Makemson, shouted homophobic abuse at his neighbour, Andrew Morrison and his partner, and approached him waving a pool cue in April this year.

Makemson had said that it was just a "neighbour dispute" but was found guilty of a homophobic assault on August 22.

Jonathan Longman, prosecuting, said: "The defendant appeared outside the address in an intoxicated state and proceeded to shout homophobic comments. Mr Morrison and his partner heard Makemson shouting "you gay boy". He appeared to have a baton in his hand, one or two feet long. He was swinging a baton around.

"Police were called and advised that everyone should go back into the house. No injuries were sustained."

Anna Perera, mitigating, said: "Makemson says it's just a neighbour dispute, but your colleagues found differently. He has a contract in Saudi Arabia and is going to go out there in October. He will spend most of the next five years there. He is taking with him 11 employees, and will employ 40 people locally."

Magistrates jailed Makemson for three months for each of the two charges, to run concurrently, because of the "serious concerns" they had about his homophobia.

But the case was adjourned and the defendant was released on bail after putting in for an appeal against the sentence, on the condition he surrenders his passport and reports to police twice a week.