A criminal who broke a man's jaw during a vicious baton attack in the street has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.

John Porter, 37, was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court today after he admitted causing Andrew Winder grievous bodily harm.

Mr Winder was set upon in August last year on a Maryport housing estate.

An eyewitness saw Porter unleash several "solid blows" with a baton to the victim's face and body as he lay helpless on the floor.

Mr Winder needed hospital treatment, lost a tooth and underwent surgery to have metal plates fitted into his jaw.

Drug addict Porter, a man with 100 criminal offences on his record, was locked up by Judge Peter Davies.

Porter, of Mulgrew Close, Maryport, had also pleaded guilty to a separate domestic assault on his then partner, along with illegal drug possession and behaving violently in a police station.

Restraining orders were made which prohibit him having any contact with his assault victims indefinitely.