A POLICE officer who is accused of severely injuring another man in a brawl outside a nightclub, has appeared in court.

Neil Addington, 26, of Kenneth Road, Thundersley, has denied inflicting grievous bodily harm on Nicholas Wright outside Mayhem nightclub, in Warrior Square, Southend.

Addington, who serves with the Metropolitan Police, but was off-duty at the time, is accused of kicking Mr Wright, 21, in the head as he lay on the ground.

Keith Rylands, prosecuting, said the altercation took place on August 30 and the victim had to have an emergency operation and could suffer a permanent eye injury.

District judge Kevin Gray declined to hear the case and committed Addington to crown court for a trial.

He will appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court again on February 16 and he is on unconditional bail until then.