A violent thug has been jailed after stamping on the head of a defenceless homeless man in Oxford city centre.
Thomas Parnell, of Luther Street, Oxford, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday, April 2.
The 23-year-old had been due to stand trial earlier this year.
However, on the trial's first day, he pleaded guilty to the unlawful wounding of Andrew Green in Drayton on January 4 last year and grievous bodily harm with intent against Aaron Hicks in Oxford on March 9 last year.
Nadia Chbat, prosecuting, told the court that Parnell knew Mr Green.
The victim had invited Parnell to stay with him in a flat in Drayton as he was homeless at the time.
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However, they ended up having arguments over food and tobacco.
This escalated into Parnell attacking Mr Green. He kicked him and punched him in the face with Mr Green begging him to stop.
Mr Green was able to leave the property and made his way to a nearby pub where he told people what had happened. He was picked up and taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital.
Mr Green suffered a fractured nose, damaged cheekbone and swelling to his eye-socket.
In a victim personal statement, Mr Green said that he had wanted to help Parnell by inviting him to live at his flat.
However he didn't understand why the defendant behaved like he did and he felt that his kindness had been abused.
Mr Green said that he now felt scared at his flat and that he didn't want to leave. He said: "My flat was supposed to be a safe place."
The court then heard about the case involving Mr Hicks in Cornmarket Street on March 9 last year.
It was described as a 'violent attack on a vulnerable person'.
On CCTV footage, Parnell could be seen chasing Mr Hicks into a side street where he knocked him to the ground and stamped on him several times.
Mr Hicks was later found with a broken nose, cracked teeth and bleeding to his head.
Gordana Austin, mitigating, said: "He is a young man and it appears his whole life has been shaped by long-standing mental health difficulties.
"His social support network is rather limited. He has experienced periods of homelessness. He has never had proper support or guidance.
"It was a horrific attack. He understands he is going to spend some time in custody.
"He is determined to address his issues so when he is released, he can live a more meaningful life."
Judge Ian Pringle KC described the attack on Mr Hicks as 'vicious and prolonged'.
Parnell was handed a prison sentence of four and a half years with an extension of three years.
He was also given a seven-year restraining order against both victims and he's banned from entering Oxford.
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