A DRUNKEN lout committed “a truly shocking catalogue of random violence” as he went on the rampage through Abingdon.

In what a judge called “a perfectly gratuitous piece of hooliganism”, Christopher McKenzie attacked five people in three different locations within a period of minutes.

The 23-year-old, who has 23 previous convictions, was jailed for 30 months at Oxford Crown Court on Monday after admitting nine charges.

Cathy Olliver, prosecuting, said the father-of-three’s crime spree in the early hours of September 22 last year began in Stratton Way.

Here, McKenzie approached retired Roger Cox and hairdresser Michael Thomas, demanding they hand over their belongings.

McKenzie then punched Mr Cox to the floor, knocking him out as his head hit the pavement. As Mr Thomas went to his aid, McKenzie swung a punch at his face, knocking off his glasses.

The defendant, of Saxton Road, Abingdon, then wandered off to East St Helen Street where he smashed the windows of three properties.

At a fourth address, resident Rupert Gladstone heard one of his front windows breaking and went outside to investigate.

Mrs Olliver said McKenzie swore at Mr Gladstone before “running at him from six feet and punching him in the chest”. With Mr Gladstone lying on the ground, McKenzie kicked him in the ribs.

Minutes later McKenzie approached siblings Kirsty and Martin Ferguson.

After asking for a cigarette then money, McKenzie punched Mr Ferguson in the face and took £1.50 from him, before hitting and pushing Miss Ferguson as she tried to intervene.

McKenzie admitted robbery, assault and causing criminal damage.

Daniel Wright, defending, said the incidents took place “at a time of great upheaval”. McKenzie had recently split from his partner, lost his grandmother and been made homeless.

Jailing him for two and a half years, Judge Patrick Eccles told McKenzie: “You gratuitously assaulted a number of perfectly innocent members of the public who had the misfortune to come across you.

“It was a perfectly gratuitous piece of hooliganism – a truly shocking catalogue of random violence.”