A man who tried to strangle a good samaritan in his own home has been jailed for five years.

Mark Taylor, 36, was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court yesterday after pleading guilty to the attack on December 15 last year.

The court heard how he assaulted hairdresser Christopher Pascal who came to his aid following an altercation with a cyclist in Norwich.

Taylor had been invited back to the victim's home, on Heigham Street, to gather his thoughts and clean himself up but things turned sour after they started drinking.

Prosecutor Nicola May said: 'Mr Pascal describes that while he was sitting on the sofa watching TV he felt hands around his throat and was being strangled by the defendant.

'He managed to release his grip and shouted for his friend, Henry, who came to his aid. There was a fight and the complainant was punched in the face.'

The court heard how Taylor had been shouting 'why is my girlfriend's number on your phone?' and repeatedly punched Mr Pascal in the head, before trying to gouge out his eye.

Police were called by the victim's friend who had attempted to break up the fight.

Mr Pascal, who suffered a fractured skull, eye socket, cheek and nasal bone, was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in a serious condition.

Michael Clare, representing Taylor, of William Kett Close, said: 'He feels terrible about what he has done as the victim seemed to be a pleasant man who tried to help him.

'This inexplicable incident seems to be born out of excessive consumption of alcohol on top of prescription drugs.'

The court heard how Taylor had a fiancée and a young daughter. He had eight previous court appearances for 22 offences dating back to 1998.

Recorder Guy Ayers described the incident as a 'most unpleasant and vicious assault'.