A BANBURY thug who hit a man in the face with an axe is starting a seven-year prison sentence.

Barrie Potts, 27, struck Paul Williams, then 44, twice with the wooden handle of a pick axe while his victim sat on his bed in his Gatteridge Street flat.

Potts, of Marlborough Road, Banbury, was convicted on Friday of causing grievous bodily harm with intent by a jury after a two-day trial at Oxford Crown Court.

He had denied the August 2 crime.

Judge Patrick Eccles said Mr Williams still suffered physical and psychological problems from the motiveless attack, adding: “There was no explanation.

“There is no remorse.”