A man prone to violent outbursts who killed a dog with a Samurai sword in a Didcot street has been jailed.

Santigo Taboada, 26, will remain in jail until he can convince experts he is no longer a danger after admitting a series of violent attacks.

Oxford Crown Court heard today that Taboada, of Loyd Road, Didcot, forced his way inside a friend's house, attacked him with a Samurai sword, tried to bite his ear and stole £100 in cash in a drunken rampage in May last year.

He then attacked another neighbour before stabbing the man's pet dog Molly to death in the middle of the street in front of horrified witnesses.

The court heard Taboada, who has a series of convictions for violence, was later found by police covered in blood and armed with a baseball bat, metal bar and sword, passed out on a swing.

Judge Julian Hall passed an indeterminate sentence ordering Taboada — who has spent the past seven months being assessed by psychiatrists — to remain in jail until he is no longer considered a danger to the public.

Peter Coombe, prosecuting, told the court Taboada's rampage in Castle Walk, Didcot, culminated with the attack on Michael Johnson's pet terrier Molly.

He said: "The defendant picked her up by the collar and began hacking at her with the sword repeatedly, then left the dog in the middle of the road bleeding to death."

Taboada's first victim, Richard Moss, suffered cuts and bruises to his face, a black eye, swelling and a sore ear and arm, Mr Coombe added.

Neighbour Mr Johnson received a black eye.

Taboada pleaded guilty minutes before his trial was set to start in October last year.

Since February he has been in a secure unit being assessed by mental health experts.

John Simmons, defending, said Taboada had little recollection of the night.

He added: "It is obvious this is a man with mental health problems."

The court heard Taboada's mental health reports showed he had violent outbursts and was manipulative. However, the report said he should not be sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

The court heard Taboada had more than a dozen previous convictions in the past decade for assault, criminal damage, possession of a knife, burglary, robbery and battery.

Judge Hall said: "There was a catalogue of violence committed that night which involved forcing himself into someone's home, attacking him, taking a sword and going out into the street, attacking with the sword, trashing his home, then doing very much the same to a neighbour, killing a dog and being found in possession of three offensive weapons."

Speaking to Taboada, who was flanked in the dock by doctors, Judge Hall added: "You will be locked up until someone thinks you are safe to be released.

"I hope you get better, but until you do you are a very dangerous man."

Taboada must serve three years, minus 290 days already spent in custody, before he can be considered for parole.