A man drunkenly tried to hijack a market trader’s van in Romford before attacking him and running away, a court heard.

James Jarman, 28, had been out for the night when he confronted a Romford Market stall holder in the early hours.

He told Benson Malia he wanted the van before punching him in the face and running away.

Jarman, of Biggin Hill, Kent, was traced by police through CCTV footage, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard on Wednesday.

He had also left his passport at a nightclub after using it for ID earlier in the evening.

After being arrested, Jarman told police that he had been due to fly out to Zagreb on business and was setting up a stocks and shares dealing firm. He admitted assault by beating.

Martin Lewis, defending, said: “Alcohol is his Achilles’ heel. This was yobbish behaviour, the problem seems to be drink.

“He has been drinking, has lost his temper and has lost control. If he does not drink to this extent again then this won’t happen again.

“He fully accepts that he punched this man in the nose and ran off.”

Mr Lewis added that Jarman had shown genuine remorse since the assault and he had not touched alcohol since that day.

The judge, Miss Recorder Annabel Darlow, ordered Jarman serve a curfew forcing him to stay indoors between 10pm and 6am for the next six months.

He must also complete 100 hours of unpaid work as part of a 12-month community order, attend alcohol management classes and pay compensation of £150 to Mr Malia.