SOUTHEND United’s Lee Sawyer found himself back in court after breaching his sentence for beating up an ex-girlfriend.

Sawyer, 22, was found guilty of battery early last year after attacking his ex in September 2010.

He was sentenced to carry out 100 hours of community service, complete a domestic violence course, pay £100 compensation to the victim and £750 legal costs.

But midfielder Sawyer appeared at Harlow Magistrates’ Court last Thursday to admit breaching his community service order by failing to attend appointments on January 4 and 11 this year.

He was sentenced to another ten hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay another £50 in court costs.

Despite the breach and a second court appearance in 12 months, Southend United said Sawyer still had a future with the Blues.

A spokesman said: “The club’s management has expressed its disappointment to Lee Sawyer following the breach of his community order, and reiterated to him he must attend his probation appointments when required to do so.”

Sawyer faced a trial at Epping Magistrates’ Court last year. The court heard Sawyer had gone to his former partner’s home and argued with her in the hallway.

The couple’s children were in the house at the time.

His sister, Haley Sawyer, went with him and became involved in the dispute.

During the row, Sawyer, of Loughton, cut his ex-girlfriend’s lip and his sister attacked the woman and her mother.

His sister was given a 12-week sentence, suspended for 18 months.

Sawyer signed for the Shrimpers in January last year after two loan spells at the club from Chelsea in 2008 and 2009.