A man who smashed in his neighbour’s mouth with a brick after an argument has been jailed for two years.

Michael Walsh, 32 lived in the same building as his victim, in Genesta Road, Chalkwell, who lost his four front teeth in the assault.

Walsh, unemployed, had shouted to be let in to get some of his belongings after moving out of the building, and the victim initially let him inside.

But after Walsh, tried to barge open another neighbour’s door, the victim told him to leave, which led to an argument on the doorstep of the property.

Then, Walsh returned with a broken brick in his hand and hit him in the right side of his face.

He denied an assault charge, but was found guilty following a trial at Basildon Crown Court.

He was sentenced to two years in jail on Tuesday.

Investigating officer Det Con Jon Holden said: "This was a violent attack on a man who had only let him inside to recover his belongings from the property.

"Walsh took offence to being told to leave, resulting in the assault.

"The impact to the victim has not only been physical but has seriously affected his confidence.”