A FATHER was left with a fractured eye socket after his attacker pounced on him with a baton, a court has heard.

Nicholas Webster told Oxford Crown Court defendant Stephen Cooper leaped on him with a weapon hidden up his sleeve after a quarrel over £20.

Giving evidence yesterday, he claimed he received a 'very abusive' call from the defendant as he was walking to his Banbury home on March 3 last year.

Cooper, 22, demanded £20 he was owed for supplying his victim with cannabis a couple of days earlier, Mr Webster revealed.

The witness told jurors he slammed the phone down in anger but Cooper contacted him again minutes later, saying he was waiting outside Mr Webster's Alma Road home.

Mr Webster said he spotted the defendant strolling to his front door along with two men minutes after he arrived home, where his young daughter was.

He said he had the cash ready to hand over to the 'angry' defendant but warned him he would not clear the debt if he continued to be aggressive in front of his child.

Cooper asked Mr Webster to pop to the side of the house for a better chat, 'smashing' him in the face with a weapon which looked like a police baton, Mr Webster claimed.

The witness said he attempted to chase his attacker but was forced to stop as blood was dripping from his face.

Judge Peter Ross told jurors Cooper, of Padbury Drive, Banbury, admits causing unlawful and serious harm to Mr Webster but denies causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The trial continues.