A HOMELESS man has been jailed after he attacked two former friends, headbutting one in the nose and beating the other in the street.

Ashley Mitchell, who gave a care of address as St Paul's Hostel in Worcester, admitted assault and threatening behaviour when he appeared before magistrates in Worcester on Friday.

The 21-year-old's admissions put him in breach of an earlier suspended sentence order (16 weeks, suspended for two years) imposed on March 4 this year for battery.

Owen Beale, prosecuting, said there had been an argument at St Paul's Hostel involving a number of residents on April 26, just before 11pm which resulted in Mitchell assaulting Gareth Housman, who had asked him outside.

He added: "The defendant headbutted Mr Housman in the face, causing him to have a nose bleed.

"The parties were separated and police were called. Mr Housman told police he thought his nose had been broken but did not seek medical attention."

The assault caused Mitchell to be excluded from the hostel although he has since been allowed to return.

In police interview Mitchell said he had gone into an argument with Mr Housman who had offered to take him outside which was the point the defendant headbutted him in the face.

The second incident happened on May 17 at 2pm in Sansome Street, Worcester, outside St George's Catholic Church.

Mr Beale said police received reports of two males fighting.

He said: "The defendant had been seen shouting abuse and straddling an older man, punching him.

"Another witness said he had seen the defendant approach the individual and start to punch him and to continue to do so once the other person had gone to ground."

When interviewed by police Mitchell said he and the other person had been good friends but had fallen out.

"He had heard a rumour the man had put a price on his head. He said he had been pushed first but the punched the man a number of times" Mr Beale said.

Mitchell denied straddling the man, claiming he knelt beside him while punching him.

Mark Lister, defending, said: "He has a record which isn't attractive.

"He is aware the law requires you to activate the suspended sentence unless unjust to do so.

"Both of them he was friends with and both of them he fell out with and, on both occasions, violence then ensued."

Mr Lister said of Mitchell's personal circumstances: "The primary issue in his life is the welfare of his young son with his ex-partner."

Magistrates activated the suspended sentence of 16 weeks because of the use of the head of as a weapon and the clear warnings he had been given about what would happen if he committed another offence.

For the battery offence at the hostel they added six weeks to the sentence although this will be served concurrently meaning it will not affect the overall length of his sentence. No separate penalty was imposed for the public order offence.

They awarded £100 compensation to Mr Housman for the injury he suffered as a result of the headbutt.

Mitchell must make arrangements to pay this after he has been released from prison.