A MAN is due to be sentenced after admitting charges following an early hours incident in Southend city centre at the weekend.

Essex Police were called to reports of an incident involving a group of people on Southchurch Road at about 1.40am on Sunday, with shocked residents claiming to have seen one man running around with a "huge knife".

Officers attended and a man was detained less than an hour later.

Early this morning, a man was charged with possession of a blade or pointed article and affray.

Claude Balaguette, 28, of Dorchester Way, Harrow, Middlesex, admitted both charges at Southend Magistartes’ Court and was remanded into custody. 

Footage recorded by a member of public appeared to show a group of around 10 men, dressed in all-black, fighting another man, stamping on him and throwing objects into the middle of the road – blocking traffic.

Screams and shouting of passers-by can also be heard in the footage, as members of public attempt to break up the fight.

Balaguette is due to be sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on November 11.