A FATHER who leaped on his victim with a hidden weapon and left him with a fractured eye socket over a £20 drugs debt has been locked up for six years.

Stephen Cooper sobbed as jurors unanimously convicted him of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Nicholas Webster on March 3 last year.

The 22-year-old muttered ‘love you’ as his partner wailed in the public gallery when dock officers escorted him to the cells at Oxford Crown Court.

Jailing Cooper today, Judge Peter Ross told the defendant he caused ‘bad’ injuries to his victim during the ‘unpleasant’ Banbury attack but was unsure if he was a drug dealer.

He went on to say: “The violence that took place was violence that was inflicted as a consequence of people’s involvement in drugs.”

During the trial, Mr Webster said Cooper called him demanding £20 after supplying the victim with cannabis a couple of days earlier.

Soon after he spotted the defendant strolling to his Alma Road home, where his young daughter was, along with two men.

Cooper asked Mr Webster to pop to the side of the house for a better chat, ‘smashing’ him in the face with a weapon which the victim claimed was a police baton.

The witness said he attempted to chase his attacker but was forced to stop as blood was dripping from his face.

Taking the stand on Tuesday, Cooper claimed he went to his victim’s house to retrieve £20 he had given Mr Cooper for cannabis earlier in the day.

Cooper, of Padbury Drive, Banbury, was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge.

Investigating officer Det Con Grahame Lea of Banbury Force CID, said: “This was a vicious attack using a weapon in a public place in front of members of the public and with total disregard for children playing in a nearby playground.

“The actions of Cooper left the victim with a fractured eye socket which caused both severe physical and emotional pain.

“The time Cooper serves in custody will give him time to reflect on the severity of his actions.

“This should serve as a deterrent to others who feel they can evade justice as a result of acts of violence.

“This type of violent crime will not be tolerated by Thames Valley Police and the sentence imposed reflects this.”