A VIOLENT crook who failed to carry out unpaid community work was warned by a judge he faced a jail sentence.

Edward Butler only carried out six hours of a 120-hour order for assaulting Mark Cooper and causing him actual bodily harm, Worcester Crown Court heard.

He was also due to be sentenced by Redditch magistrates for assaulting a police officer, said Ian Speed, prosecuting.

Judge Andrew Geddes told 23-year-old Butler, of Mickleton Close, Redditch, there was "a high probability" he was going to prison.

The judge said he was asking the magistrates' court to transfer the police assault case to the crown court so all offences could be dealt with together.

Butler now had to be re-sentenced for the attack on Mr Cooper, whose face was gashed.

The defendant admitted failing to comply with a court order and failing to report for community work. He only attended once.

Tim Sapwell, defending, said Butler's risk of re-offending was low to medium. He hoped for a fresh community order.

But the judge said: "In the light of a very poor performance, the chance of another order is remote."

He adjourned the case until April 12 and granted Butler bail.