West Ham's James Tomkins Arrested and Charged for Assaulting Police Officer

West Ham defender James Tomkins was arrested in an Essex nightclub in the early hours of Sunday morning, having become embroiled in a confrontation with police, per the Mirror's Josh Layton.

Tomkins, 24, was revelling in the Sugar Hut nightclub made famous by television series The Only Way Is Essex, before door staff called police to the scene.

The former England under-21 international was eventually arrested and charged with assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and being drunk and disorderly in a public place. 

A spokesman for Essex Police 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.

"

The defender had featured in West Ham's defeat at Manchester United on Saturday afternoon before returning south and heading out to the nightclub in Essex.

Unfortunately for Tomkins, the incident would not remain private long as several of his fellow clubbers tweeted the incident live.

Per Sky Sports, Tomkins has since been bailed while the original report states the defender will now be expected to appear at Basildon Magistrates' Court on Jan. 9.

The incident is the first of the Christmas period this year, which regularly throws up problems as players let their hair down over the holiday period.

Tomkins had only returned to the first team for Sam Allardyce's side at Old Trafford after missing the midweek fixture with Tottenham with a groin injury.

The latest hiccup, though, will be a major annoyance for Allardyce as the Hammers continue to struggle at the bottom of the Premier League.

Approaching the midway point of the season the club have amassed just 14 points from 17 games, lying a point above the relegation zone in 17th position.