ESSEX Police have given an explanation after criticism of a judge who declined to jail a man who viciously attacked a Grays man and left him with serious injuries.

Gabriel Calin, 26, of Milton Road, Gillingham, appeared at Basildon Crown Court for sentencing almost four years after the incident when he and his brother violently assault a man in Grays after they looked at a car he was selling.  They were unable to agree terms and violence ensured.

Gabriel Calin and his brother Andre, 28 from Chatham, beat the Thurrock man so badly that he suffered broken bones in his face, finger and ribs. A third man filmed the incident

But police took three-and-a-half years to charge the brothers – so a judge said it was "unfair" to now send Gabriel Calin to prison. His brother could not attend the sentencing and is due to attend court shortly.

The Calin brothers were not charged until summer 2025.

"It is accepted that the delay in this case cannot be placed at the defendants' door," said Miss Livingston. "There is no acceptable explanation I can give for such a delay."

Judge Shane Collery said he had received information about the lead officer being on a training course and CID being understaffed, was reported as saying "it doesn't provide an explanation for a three-and-a-half year delay."

The report went on to say: "I think this was a nasty assault, but it was in 2021 and there are three-and-a-half years gone by where there was nothing happening and it is inexplicable and frankly not fair," said the judge.

"Had we been looking at this back in early 2022, I would have imposed a sentence of immediate imprisonment. The real reason you are getting a suspended is the delay."

He sentenced Calin to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, with a requirement to carry out 70 hours of unpaid work, 50 days of rehabilitation activities and pay £850 in court costs and compensation.

A statement from Essex Police said: "This was a complex and lengthy investigation, and the victim has been supported by our officers throughout.

"Our work on the case has ensured those responsible for a serious and violent assault have been held accountable and were left with no option but to admit their guilt.

"In the absence of CCTV evidence, these convictions were secured through examining complex, non-physical evidence to ensure we were able to prove beyond doubt that both men were at the scene.

"Where there are learnings or improvements identified, they will of course be acted upon.

"Across Thurrock we're working hard to drive down violent crime, which has reduced by more than 9% in the last year.

"In the same period, we're also solving 15% more violent incidents.

"Of course, we know there is always more to do and improve upon and we're working determinedly across the district to do that."