News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A violent thug went on the run and taunted police by posting pictures of himself on Facebook wearing a silver wig and Dame Edna Everage-style sunglasses.

Michael Easy, 29, sparked a major police manhunt when he disappeared for the second time in less than two years after being handed a jail sentence in his absence at court.

The brazen criminal had breached a restraining order protecting his ex-girlfriend, who he attacked when she was four-and-a-half months pregnant.

He was also sentenced for leaving two prison officers in hospital when he assaulted them while doing time at Winchester Prison.

Easy was slapped with a four-month prison sentence in his absence at Southampton Magistrates' Court where he failed to appear for his trial.

His disappearance led to a nine-day manhunt before he was finally tracked down by police and locked up once more.

(Image: Solent)

The court heard Easy, from Southampton, Hants, breached the restraining order when he was seen leaving a party with his former girlfriend, aged 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.

Before the conviction in 2013, Easy was also on the run from police and mocked officers by updating his Facebook page.

He uploaded photographs of himself wearing a tacky platinum wig and pink Dame Edna Everage-style glasses, and changed his name to Michelle.

Pictures showed Easy pressing his finger to his lips - taunting police as they had failed to track him down. But he was caught and jailed for 15 months.

Mark Florida-James, defending Easy for his latest crimes, told the court his former girlfriend, who cannot be named, told him she thought the order was over and that when she left the party with him, there was no coercion.

(Image: Solent)

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.

Ms Holmes said: "Mr Easy's history and his previous convictions clearly show 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 police believed she did this because she is worried for her safety.

The court also heard 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.

Meanwhile, he struck another in the face, causing facial swelling and a shoulder injury which required treatment.

Mr Florida-James said: "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 to help him with these problems."

District Judge Anthony Callaway refused to impose another restraining order, telling the court 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.