The Supreme Court in Hobart has heard a violent assault involving an axe was started by an argument over toilet paper.

The court heard a fight broke out at Nathan Thomas Charles Howlett's home when a visitor used the toilet and found there was no toilet paper.

Howlett hit the man in the forehead with the blunt side of an axe before hacking at the toilet door while the man hid inside with his girlfriend.

The court heard the 22-year-old was on bail at the time for breaking into his ex-girlfriend's car and setting it on fire.

He was sentenced to 18 months in jail for all of the crimes.