A BRAVE schoolboy stepped in after he saw a woman being attacked in the street.

The 16-year-old saw Craig Claydon, 30, having a row with his girlfriend, Tanya Thompson, in Fossets Way, Southend, when he began to assault her.

The boy confronted Clay-don by saying “Look, this is out of order, now stop it.”

But Claydon, of Westbor-ough Road, Westcliff, re-sponded with “What are you going to do about it?” and rugby-tackled him to the ground.

There was a struggle, before two other men spotted the drama and intervened.

Police arrived, but Claydon kicked the door of their patrol car, knocking it into the shin of one of the officers.

Claydon appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court’ where he pleaded guilty to three counts of assault.

In mitigation, Paul Vickers said his client had no history of domestic violence.

He added: “He is living with Miss Thompson, the victim of the first matter. She did decline to make a statement to police.

“They are together, they moved into accomodation together and I understand they are awaiting confirmation she is in fact pregnant with her first child. They are planning a future together.”

Claydon was given a 24-month community order, during which he must complete the Integrated Domestic Abuse Programme.

He must also carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and pay £50 compensation to the police officer, £20 for the damage to a fishing rod belonging to the boy which was damaged in the fracas, and £50 costs. The money will be deducted from his benefits.