CABBY Daniel Harper was struck with a metal pipe by a man who months earlier had broken into his house.

Sheldon Thomas left his victim needing stitches following the attack at a road junction in Swindon.

The 21-year-old was appearing before Swindon Crown Court for a string of offences including failing to comply with a community sentence passed earlier this year.

Jane Warren, prosecuting, said that there had been contact between the men since the burglary earlier in the year.

She said on July 25 Mr Harper was out driving when he became aware of a dark Citroen AX behind him and recognised Thomas, who was in the passenger seat.

Thomas, she said, was making abusive gestures and shouting at Mr Harper.

"They came to a standstill at a set of traffic lights. Thomas got out of the car and struck him a heavy blow to the face. Thomas had a metal bar of some sort in his hand at the time. Mr Harper needed six stitches to a cut beside his eye."

She said that when Thomas was later interviewed by police he admitted the assault.

"He said he had become annoyed because of "hassle" since the burglary and because racist remarks were used towards him. That was explicitly denied."

She said two days later Thomas was in the centre of Marlborough when a young woman working in an optician's became suspicious about his behaviour.

Thomas made off with three pairs of frames worth more than £400 and struck an officer during his arrest.

She said he was also to be re-sentenced for two burglaries in Swindon town centre, a theft and an attempted deception.

Thomas, of Walter Close, The Prinnells, pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm, assault with intent to resist arrest, theft, no insurance, driving otherwise that in accordance with a licence, failing to stop and possessing cannabis.

Jailing him for a total of 23 months Judge Charles Wade said: "Racist remark or no racist remark, there is no excuse for what you did."