A VIOLENT thug who sparked a major police manhunt after going on the run for the second time in less than two years is facing the next four months in jail.

Brazen Michael Easy, who won notoriety when he taunted police on social media while on the run, is back behind bars after breaching a restraining order that was protecting his former girlfriend whom he attacked when she was four-and-a-half months’ pregnant.

The 29-year-old from Southampton was also sentenced for assaulting two prison officers while at Winchester Prison, which left both men needing hospital treatment.

As previously reported, Easy was due in court for his trial concerning these charges in February, but failed to appear. He was found guilty in his absence and a police manhunt was launched. He was found nine days later.

Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard how Easy breached the restraining order when he was seen leaving a party with his former girlfriend, 19, in December last year.

Her family called the police because they were concerned for her safety as Easy had been found guilty in January 2013 of assaulting her when she was pregnant with his child – although in court Easy disputed the child, who is now in care, is his.

Daily Echo: Michael Easy

Police launched a missing-person’s appeal, believing she was at “high risk”, but days later they were approached by Easy who pointed her out across the road.

The court heard she had some injuries but she would not say how she sustained them.

Defending Easy, Mark Florida-James told the court that Easy’s former girlfriend told him that she thought the order was over and that when she left the party with him, there was no coercion.

The crown applied for a new order to be imposed, with prosecuting solicitor Louise Holmes telling the hearing that while Easy’s former girlfriend is now an adult she is “extremely vulnerable” and has learning difficulties.

She said: “Mr Easy’s history and his previous convictions clearly show that he is a man of violence towards women and his partners.”

The court was handed a statement from Easy’s former partner asking not to impose the restraining order, but Ms Holmes told the court that police believed she did this because she is worried for her safety.

The court heard how Easy assaulted two male prison officers in November 2014 after they tried to take him back to his cell as he had become argumentative and disruptive.

One was struck in the face, causing swelling to his cheek and after Easy was taken down from jumping on the net installed between prison floors to prevent suicides, he struck another in the face, causing facial swelling and a shoulder injury which required treatment.

In mitigation, Mr Florida-James admitted jumping on the netting was “very odd behaviour” but added his client has had some tests which suggests there maybe underlying issues that have never been diagnosed.

He added: “Mr Easy seems to attract trouble, he causes trouble, he admits that. He’s now quite keen to have some sort of diagnosis to try and help him with these problems.”

District Judge Anthony Callaway refused to impose another restraining order, telling the court that the woman concerned is an adult and whether she sees Easy or not was a decision for her.

He sentenced Easy to 56 days for the “serious” breach of the restraining order and a total of 56 days for assaulting the prison officers, to run consecutively. He gave no sentence for failing to surrender.