A HOMELESS man who attacked a friend with a makeshift weapon and fractured his eye socket has been jailed.

Kevin Webb, of Oxford Homeless Pathways in Luther Street, Oxford, was yesterday sentenced to two years and eight months in prison at Oxford Crown Court. The 36-year-old pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm, criminal damage and having a Katana sword stick in a public place between October 25 and 27 last year.

John Law, prosecuting, said the assault was on James Doherty – a “drinking buddy” of Webb’s – during a party at a house in Ridgefield Road, Oxford, on October 26.

Recorder Patrick Hamlin told Webb he attacked his former friend in the early hours of the morning after an argument between them escalated when they were both drunk.

He said: “You attacked him, most certainly with a weapon... when he was not expecting it. You gave him at least three blows to the head.”

Recorder Hamlin noted that Webb had 16 convictions for 30 offences on his record.