A CONVICT who pounced on a passer-by and broke his jaw has been detained for the "ugly" attack.

Lee Butcher left victim Luke Sinclair with a permanent titanium plate in his jaw after targeting him as he walked with a young girl towards Witney town centre.

The attack last October came just six months after the 18-year-old assaulted a number of victims moments before he stole alcohol from a Witney Tesco store, as well as after the shoplifting.

Speaking of Butcher's offending, prosecutor Jonathan Stone told the court: "These were random acts of violence on people who just happen to be out and about in Witney."

Mr Stone said Mr Sinclair and his friend were walking towards the town centre at about 10pm as Butcher and his gang walked in the opposite direction.

He said a group member shouted to the victim, telling Mr Sinclair he had seen him with another girl and needed to "treat her better".

Mr Sinclair remembers taking some steps towards Butcher, who was holding a beer can and then shoved the victim, shouting at him and swinging his arms around.

The prosecutor said Butcher, who was 17 at the time, then hit Mr Sinclair in the head "aggressively" with his fists, forcing the victim to the ground.

Mr Stone said other gang members joined in during the attack which lasted between 10 and 15 seconds, before walking off.

Defence barrister Andrea Becker said Butcher was already serving a detention and training order for the April 2015 assaults but has "turned things around".

She went on to say the defendant was remorseful, adding he realises drinking too much alcohol affects his behaviour.

Recorder Rickard Prior sentenced Butcher, of Barrington Close, Witney, to one-year in a young offender institute for inflicting grievous bodily harm on October 9, 2015, and ordered him to pay a victim surcharge.