West Ham defender James Tompkins arrested at TOWIE venue, the Sugar Hut
West Ham defender James Tompkins arrested at TOWIE venue, the Sugar Hut Reuters

West Ham player James Tomkins was arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer at the Sugar Hut night spot, made famous by hit TV show TOWIE.

The Premier League defender was reportedly pinned to the ground by officers as stunned revellers looked on, at the bar in Brentwood, Essex.

The incident was described in various tweets.

One patron wrote: "Highlight of last night was seeing James Tomkins get arrested, unreal scenes."

Another tweeted: "Just watched James Tomkins get arrested, Christ Sam Allardyce is gonna have his way with him Monday morning."

Tompkins, 24, was also charged with resisting arrest and being drunk and disorderly. He was out partying after the Hammers lost 3-1 to Manchester United.

It is the last thing West Ham manager Sam Allardyce needs as the team faces up to a relegation dogfight. Last week, captain Kevin Nolan cancelled the players' Christmas party after a run of poor form saw West Ham win only once in five games.

The Sugar Hut is a regular feature of ITV2 reality show The Only Way is Essex.

An Essex police spokesman said: "Police were called by security staff from the Sugar Hut Village shortly before 12.30am on Sunday the 22nd following reports of a disturbance.

"Officers arrived and arrested James Tomkins before later charging him with one count of assaulting a police officer, one count of resisting arrest and one count of being drunk and disorderly in a public place."