AN Asbo lout repeatedly punched a disabled man in the face in a row over loud music.

Anthony Begley, who was given an antisocial behaviour order (Asbo) due to his drunken antics in Abingdon and Oxford, struck 41-year-old Paul Harms “three or more times”.

The victim had suffered a stroke four years ago and cannot easily walk or talk.

Begley, 24, was found guilty of assault by beating and breaching his Asbo at Oxford Crown Court yesterday. Mr Harms, who gave evidence by writing his answers and having them read out, was staying at friend and carer Samantha Gillespie’s house next door to Begley in Sherwood Avenue, Abingdon, when the incident occurred on October 8 last year.

He was awoken by Begley and Miss Gillespie arguing outside at 2am and said he “hobbled” downstairs to see what was going on.

Prosecutor Nikki Duncan said Begley was “immediately aggressive and intimidating” towards the woman and said to her: “You’re the snitch who keeps phoning the police.”

Miss Duncan added: “Mr Harms saw that the defendant was behaving aggressively and he feared she was going to be assaulted.

“He put his arm up and she ducked under his arms.

“As she was doing so she was aware that Mr Begley was throwing punches towards Mr Harms.”

Mr Harms, who suffered a swollen eye, told jurors: “I hobbled to Sam to try to protect her from the man and I put up my arm to block him from Sam.

“He was very aggressive and right in her face.

“I was punched three or more times inside my face.”

Defence barrister Stephen Bailey said Begley was jailed in February for causing actual bodily harm to policeman Neil Rudge by biting him on the leg outside The Regal nightclub in July 2010.

He said: “There’s some suggestion in Begley’s young life that there’s a dawning realisation he has to grow up.

This is a young man who is evolving. He’s not the brightest, he has a hair-trigger temper.”

Judge Julian Hall jailed him for six additional months and said: “I hope you are growing up because at the moment you seem to be very much a loose cannon, using your fists and your temper rather indiscriminately.”

Begley’s existing Asbo runs until February 2013 and bans him from a range of things including being drunk or being threatening or aggressive.

tairs@oxfordmail.co.uk