An ex-con who set about a housemate while on early release from prison has been jailed for 16 months.

Stuart Healey was on home detention curfew at a shared property on Rosebery Street when he set upon another resident over a £10 debt.

And the 36-year-old left his hairdresser victim with a broken finger which he still has no sensation in leaving him unable to work.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting told Swindon Crown Court the other man had been living at the supported housing property for a few weeks before Healey arrived.

The men had spoken and shortly before the offence on June 23 the victim bought something from his attacker and still owed him a tenner.

On the Friday evening Healey was drunk again when he started demanding the money be repaid even though his victim didn't have it.

He went to the victim's room and banged on the door shouting he wanted the £10, but the victim said he didn't have it and locked himself in.

Healey became more and more aggressive, and other residents said he shouted he was going to kill him, then smashed down the door.

After bursting in he set about the victim 'delivering a flurry of punches to his head' before getting him in a headlock.

When he managed to break free from his grip he stumbled and broke his finger as he fell leaving 'blood everywhere'.

As other residents moved in Healey took his dog and then left the premises as the police were called.

Mr Meeke said the victim suffered a broken nose and finger which meant he was still off work.

Healey, of no fixed abode, admitted grievous bodily harm. He has a long history of crime, getting two years and 10 months in June last year for a ram raid.

Ellen McAnaw said her client was out on home detention curfew on that sentence when he was placed at the house.

In the past he has had gaps in his offending which came when he was not drinking, at one point turning to Buddhism.

She said he was very 'incredibly sorry' for what he had done and was adamant that it would not have happened had he not been drinking at the time.

Jailing him Judge Richard Onslow said "Fortunately you were interrupted in this frenzied attack. Your victim was left bleeding heavily: blood everywhere.

"He can't work as he can't hold scissors as he is a hairdresser. At the time we was in a pretty fragile state, your attack has obviously had a very adverse affect."