YOBS who slashed two men with a broken glass bottle have been jailed for a total of more than seven years.

Harry Cox, 20, of Campernell Close, Colchester, and Michael Irving, 20, of Frank Cater Close, both admitted to being involved with an affray in Colchester in October last year that left two men needing multiple stitches with cuts to their face and body.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard on Friday how the pair had pulled over their car and assaulted two men who gestured to them for going too fast on Hesper Road.

Margaret Dodd, prosecuting, said: “Shortly after 12.45am on Saturday October 29, Edward Moore and Daniel Rishman came out of a The Spinnaker Inn where they saw a BMW going at considerable speed down the road, gesturing to them to slow down.

“Michael Irving, who was driving, stopped the car, turned it around and drove back to them, upon which he and Harry Cox got out and began throwing punches at the two men.

“Mr Moore and Mr Rishman recall that whilst Michael Irving was throwing punches and behaving threateningly, he did not make physical contact with them.

“Harry Cox, after throwing several punches, picked up a broken glass bottle and slashed at Mr Rishman on his face and torso, turning to Mr Moore and slashing on his abdomen. The two retreated into the public house as the defendants left the scene.

“It was only then they realised how badly they were bleeding, with both requiring medical treatment with more than 20 stitches used. Mr Rishman now has a scar on his face and suffers deep anxiety, being afraid to leave the house or socialise with friends, losing £300 in wages for his time taken off work.”

Mrs Dodd also told the court Cox and Irving were arrested the day after in Clacton, but Irving escaped from police custody and remained at large until being arrested in December.

Mitigating for Irving, Lucy Ginsberg said: “The defendant understands the severity of his crimes, he made the very stupid decision to stop the car at the gestures. He has been in care since the age of 12 which has been causing stress and is determined to improve his life and receive further education.”

Richard Conley, mitigating for Cox, said: “The defendant admits he was an ‘immature teenage brat’ and is determined to grow up and regrets attacking his victims.”

Judge Emma Peters said there was ‘no justification’ for violence.

She said: “The actions of you two gentlemen were quite frightening. These gestures that were given to you did nothing to warrant you pulling over and inflicting such horrible injuries to these two men. Anyone who inflicts violence with the use of any weapon can expect to have justice delivered.”

Cox received two sentences of six years and two months in prison for causing GBH to the two victims to run concurrently. Irving received seven months in prison for causing an affray and four months for escaping police custody to run consecutively.