Shane Stroughton (19), of Southwell Close, used a heavy roadside safety barrier to repeatedly strike his last victim to his head, Nottingham Crown Court was told.

A witness said: "It was like chopping wood with an axe."

Stroughton admitted assaulting his ex-girlfriend causing her actual bodily harm, then causing grievous bodily harm to two men followed by grievous bodily harm with intent to his last victim.

Prosecutor Julia King told the court how he punched Hayley McDonagh in the face –– knocking out one of her front teeth –– on 21st August last year.

While on bail for that offence, he punched and kicked Martin Smith on 14th January –– leaving him with fractures to his jaw bone, collar bone and a vertebrae in his upper spine.

The court was told the drunken victim had been 'winding him up'.

On 12th February, another victim, Anthony Slater, took a bottle from a woman in jest and as a result Stroughton hit and kicked him –– resulting in a fractured cheek bone.

The final attack took place two days later at an address on Edward Street.

Christopher Whaley answered a knock at the door where Stroughton accused him of being a woman beater, said Miss King.

Stroughton punched him, causing him to fall over a 2ft wall into a
trench dug by the council.

The court was told Stroughton pulled him out and kicked him, he appeared to be unconscious and was hit about 10 times according to a witness –– who shouted at him to stop as feared for the life of the other man.

His victim suffered a fractured skull with a small amount of bleeding around the brain, but discharged himself from hospital two days later.

In mitigation, Maureen Baker said Stroughton had suffered from anxiety and depression and had resorted to drink. A doctor did not consider he had a personality disorder.

Judge Jonathan Teare ordered Stroughton to spend at least two and a half years inside before he can be considered for parole.