A 26-year-old man from Stevenage who assaulted nine people on New Year’s Day has received a suspended sentence.

Dean Chambers, of Longcroft Road, assaulted seven men and two women during the episode in Stevenage.

He pleaded guilty to eight charges of common assault and one of ABH when he appeared before a district judge at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

District Judge Annabel Pilling sentenced Chambers to 26 weeks behind bars, suspended for 24 months, giving him credit for his guilty pleas.

She ordered him to complete a 30-session ‘thinking skills’ course, and imposed a six-month electronically-monitored curfew.

Chambers must also pay a total of £2,200 in compensation and costs.

A charge of affray was withdrawn.