Two men have been jailed for a street attack that left their victim needing 11 stitches to his head.

James Keane and Leigh Reilly chased and assaulted Gareth Morgan on the Glory Farm estate in Bicester. At least three people took part in the attack at 10pm on September 16.

Peter Ross, prosecuting at Oxford Crown Court, said Mr Morgan realised there might be trouble when he saw a group of people "with whom he had had difficulty" near Andover Close.

He said someone smashed a bottle on the pavement as the group pursued Mr Morgan to Bristol Road where he was bundled to the ground, punched, kicked and stabbed in the ear.

Keane and Reilly admitted unlawful and malicious wounding. An affray charge was left to lie on file.

The court heard Keane, 18, of Market End Way, Bicester, had 45 previous convictions and was now serving 15 months' custody in a young offenders' institution, imposed in January for theft and assault.

Reilly, 22, of Kennet Close, had 74 previous convictions, mainly for car crime.

Paul Mitchell, defending Keane, claimed his client was annoyed because he believed Mr Morgan had hit a woman in the face. He said Keane admitted hurling a brick towards Mr Morgan but deserved credit for his "brave" guilty plea, because the evidence was weak.

Nigel Daly, defending Reilly, said his client, who is being weaned off heroin, was drunk at the time of the assault but denied using any weapon.

Jailing Reilly for two years and Keane for 18 months, Judge Anthony King said only prison sentences were appropriate.

He added Keane received a lesser punishment because he was already a serving prisoner and should not be detained for longer than absolutely necessary.