A YOB who hit a woman holding a baby before 'punching a chip shop' has been given four months to prove himself or face jail.

Josh Abbott, of Mendip Heights, Didcot, carried out the one-man rampage of violence and criminal damage, which included damaging a newsagent's, a car, and three assaults, on the morning of December 27.

The 23-year old had already pleaded guilty to three offences of common assault and three of causing criminal damage ahead of his sentencing at Oxford Crown Court yesterday.

Detailing the spree of violence at Ridgeway Road, Didcot, prosecutor Cathy Olliver told the court that Abbott was first seen taking a 17-year old's bike near to Amin Newsagents.

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The teenager was about to start his paper-round, the court heard, but instead chased Abbott who was riding his push bike.

The boy followed Abbott who proceeded to punch him in the face before a fight broke out.

After the boy got away his father arrived on the scene, the court heard, and they both went inside the nearby newsagent's, looking to speak to Abbott.

The violence carried on while inside the shop and Abbott went on to throw a number of punches aimed at the boy's father, with one strike landing on the shop owner who was holding a baby at the time.

Finally leaving, Abbott proceeded to punch the glass in the shop's door before attacking a nearby fish and chip shop, as well as damaging a parked Peugeot car.

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The court went on to hear that Abbott has a long history of offences including more than a dozen for causing criminal damage.

In total he has 19 previous convictions, for 54 offences which also included battery, assaulting a police officer and robbery.

In mitigation at the hearing defence barrister Gordana Austin said that her client had had 'quite a lot' of alcohol on the day of the incident but accepted he did not have an excuse for the offending.

She added that Abbott, despite being 23, was 'immature' for his age, and that his long history of offending was motivated largely through his alcohol misuse.

Sentencing Judge Peter Ross said that it was time that Abbott 'grew up' but he would he give him one chance to prove himself.

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He said: "You are 23 now and it is time you grew up. You say you want to sort yourself out and what I say to you is I will give you that chance.

"The sad reality is that if you don't take this opportunity you will not get another one and you can look at your life expecting a jail sentence after jail sentence after jail sentence, each one being longer."

Sentencing was deferred until August 5 with regular reviews to be held. Abbott was made subject to conditions including a curfew and probation supervision.