A man has admitted striking a rabbi over the head with a brick outside a synagogue.

Rabbi Rafi Goodwin needed hospital treatment for head injuries after he was attacked in Limes Avenue, near Chigwell, on May 16 last year, Essex Police said.

Souraka Djabouri, 19, attended Chelmsford Crown Court and admitted to grievous bodily harm without intent, a court official said.

The defendant, of nearby Tudor Crescent, also admitted to theft and to religiously aggravated criminal damage during Wednesday’s hearing.

Police say Rabbi Goodwin had been driving when a person walked into the road from behind a parked van, causing him to brake suddenly.

The victim was then verbally abused with his Jewish faith referenced. He was also spat on.

The victim then tried to drive away but came to a stop at Fencepiece Road.

As he waited at the junction his car was damaged with the wing mirror on the passenger’s side kicked off and the door damaged.

When he got out to chase those responsible – taking photos to provide officers – he was assaulted and his mobile phone was taken.

He needed urgent medical attention and had seven stitches while also suffering swelling to his face around his right eye.

Djabouri is due to be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on August 4.

Prosecutors dropped charges against a second defendant, 26-year-old Abderrahman Brahimi, also of Ilford, offering no evidence at an earlier hearing.