Here is a round-up of cases heard at Colchester Magistrates' Courts.

  • A man caught with a five-inch kitchen knife has been jailed.

Cameron Haley, 23, of St Peter’s Road, West Mersea, was found with the weapon in East Stockwell Street, Colchester.

He admitted possession of a blade at Colchester Magistrates’ Court and was jailed for four months as the knife was brandished in the town centre where other people were present.

  • A man caught with a fistful of fake £20 notes has been fined.

Nicholas Wynter, 21, was caught with six counterfeit notes in North Station Road, Colchester, in April.

He admitted having counterfeit money at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

Wynter, of no fixed address, was fined £200 and must pay £175 in court charges.

The fake notes will be destroyed.

  • A prolific thief has been jailed for a total of 21 weeks.

Lewis Self, who gave his address in court as Beacon House, Crouch Street, Colchester, admitted stealing £110 worth of cosmetics from Laura Ashley in Colchester in August.

He also admitted failing to surrender to court and breaking into Observatory Opticians in Ipswich.

Magistrates jailed the 39-year-old for 21 weeks.

  • A woman has been fined for attacking an emergency worker.

Azura Knowles admitted assaulting an NHS healthcare practitioner when she appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court.

The 21-year-old also admitted failing to surrender for an earlier scheduled hearing.

Knowles, of Hakewill Way, Colchester, was fined £160, must pay compensation of £150 and a £32 victim surcharge.

  • A thief broke into a theatre's rehearsal area.

Adam Jones admitted going into the Abbey Field Centre in Circular Road South, Colchester, last week with intent to steal when he appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court.

The 38-year-old also admitted committing an offence while subject to a conditional discharge.

The centre is used by the Mercury Theatre as an area for rehearsals and other creative activities.

Jones was handed a curfew meaning he cannot leave his home in Ladbrook Drive, Colchester, between 7pm and 7am for 12 weeks.

He must also pay compensation to the theatre of £530.