A man who broke almost every bone in a stranger’s face after pushing him down the stairs and stamping on the back of his head has been jailed.

William McShane, 42 and of no fixed abode, was sentenced to five years and eight months at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, June 10 after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent.

The court heard that William McShane began randomly knocking on doors at flats in The Crescent, Boscombe at around 10.30pm on April 6.

He knocked on one door asking for someone before becoming abusive.

He then continued banging on other doors, including the one belonging to his victim who came out of his flat to see what was happening.

McShane became aggressive, made threats to kill and then pushed his 43-year-old victim down a set of stone stairs outside the property.

He then stamped on the back of man's head and punched him.

McShane continued to shout and rant at his victim and pushed the man’s wife. During the attack the victim punched McShane once in the head.

Officers arrived and arrested McShane, who was sat on a bench in The Crescent.

Detective Constable Scott Brimicombe, of Bournemouth CID, said: “This was a vicious and unprovoked attack on a man outside his home.

“Such was the ferocity of the attack that McShane broke almost every bone in the front of the victim’s face. He has undergone extensive surgery and is waiting to have more operations.

"I hope the sentence handed out by the courts will act as a reminder to everyone that violence will not be tolerated and you will face the consequences."