A HOMELESS man launched a violent attack at a man's home just so that he could be jailed and get off the streets, a court heard.

Matthew Loveridge, of The Slade, Oxford, had already admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm on his victim Gary Clark at an address in Cowley Road.

Jailing him at Oxford Crown Court, Judge Peter Ross called the attack 'inexplicable' and said that the 44-year-old had carried out the violence just to get off the streets.

He said: "Quite what your motivation was can only be gleaned from what you said to the probation service. That you wanted to go to prison to get off the street."

During the sentencing hearing prosecutor Jonathan Stone told the court that Loveridge had carried out the unprovoked attack on his victim on the afternoon of August 19 last year.

Loveridge banged on the window of a flat in the Littlemore area before the occupant noticed him and opened the door to let him inside.

With 'crazed eyes', the court heard, Loveridge proceeded to launch two punches at his victim's head which caused a fracture that needed hospital treatment.

Loveridge then warned the man that if he went to police 'he would kill him' before later making an effort to steal a bicycle.

After his assailant left the scene Mr Clark began to notice severe pain after the blows and later went to the John Radcliffe Hospital for treatment for a fracture.

In a police statement Mr Clark said: "I have no real idea why the defendant came to the address and assaulted me. He looked as if he was under the influence and his eyes were crazy."

Loveridge was ultimately arrested by police three days after the attack at a nearby church where he was sleeping rough.

The court also heard yesterday of a history of violent offending, with 15 court appearances and 30 offences, including for battery, robbery and theft.

In mitigation, Gordana Turudija-Austin said that she was unable to explain the motivation behind the attack and told the court: "He says it was spur of the moment, he was going through some difficult times.

"He does understand it is a very serious matter and he is prepared that this warrants a custodial sentence."

He was jailed for 28 months for the assault.