A “DRUNKEN, drugged up yob” who attacked a complete stranger in his own home after drinking 40 cans of cider and smoking ten cannabis spliffs has been jailed.

Liam Powell, aged 30, from Cwmbran, punched a 56-year-old man before biting his ear and nose and kicking him in the head in the terrifying unprovoked attack.

The appalling assault was slammed by the judge, Recorder Patrick Harrington QC, who also condemned the evils of cannabis, a drug he branded “odious”.

Prosecutor Meirion Davies said Powell carried out the horrific violence after watching Wales’ Six Nations victory over England with friends on Saturday, February 23.

The “sustained assault” took place in the early hours of the next morning at around 3.30am in the Pontnewydd area of Cwmbran.

Mr Davies told Cardiff Crown Court how the victim and his partner had gone to bed at around 11pm before they were awoken by Powell kicking their front door and shouting, “Ginge! Ginge!”

The victim opened his bedroom window and told the defendant to go away before confronting him downstairs.

The judge heard how Powell pushed the homeowner, causing him to fall, before a “scuffle” ensued.

Mr Davies said: “The defendant got on top and repeatedly punched the victim to the face. He then bit his left ear and his nose.

“The complainant’s partner then saw him stamp on his head three times before he fled.”

Mr Davies apologised to the court that he did not have an up-to-date report on the victim’s injuries but said he had needed stitches for his ear.

The court was told that after the police were called, they traced the defendant to a nearby house where he lived where he was arrested later that morning.

The judge heard that Powell “remembered little” of what had happened over and told detectives he had had drunk 40 cans of cider and smoked 10 cannabis spliffs before it happened.

Mr Davies read the complainant’s victim personal statement which revealed how he now has difficulty sleeping as a result of his ordeal.

He said, “I am in a great deal of pain to my face and ear” and that he was thinking of moving away because he no longer wanted to live in his house.

Powell, who pleaded guilty to wounding with intent, had limited previous convictions but did have a violent disorder offence and cannabis matters on his record.

Karl Williams, mitigating for Powell, said: “He is extremely remorseful about the actions of that night. He is ashamed of what happened.”

His barrister said the defendant had been suffering from depression and was drinking eight cans of cider a day.

Mr Williams said Powell had consumed a “ridiculous amount” of alcohol before the offence as well as smoking the “10 cannabis cigarettes”.

The judge told the defendant: “Drugs are a scourge on society. People think cannabis is a recreational drug, but it is an evil poison. It poisons people’s heads and their actions.

“You were a drunken, drugged up yob that night. You attacked a 56-year-old man, punching him, biting him and stamping on his head.

“The effect of what you did is unknown. Random attacks are appalling. He will never forget it.

“He had his life changed because you were drunk and ‘spliffed’ up.”

Powell, now of Woodland Road, Tylorstown, Ferndale, Rhondda Cynon Taf, was jailed for four years and eight months.