A THUG with a reputation for getting into fights has been locked up for breaking a man’s skull in two places with a single blow.

Javay Kenny Mattis, 19, could commit worse violence, York Crown Court heard.

He was on bail at the time for kicking and punching another man 13 times as he lay defenceless curled up on the ground, and also subject to a suspended sentence for other violence.

The Recorder of York, Judge Stephen Ashurst, warned Mattis: “You are fortunate the charge is not more serious than the one you face. You are someone who has a very short fuse.

You lose your temper at the slightest opportunity.

“You have earned something of a reputation. You have been living up to that reputation. I am afraid it is going to have to be punished.

You are someone, I am afraid, capable of committing quite serious sustained violence.”

Mattis, 19, of Lime Tree Avenue, Malton, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm on March 21 and causing actual bodily harm on January 17. Both offences were committed at night. He was jailed for two years, plus six months of the previously suspended prison sentence.

Matthew Collins, prosecuting, said the victim in April had been out with friends in Malton when Mattis punched him once to the head, knocking him unconscious.

The victim’s skull was broken in two places and his ear perforated. In the January attack, Mattis and a youth argued with a man walking home with two women. The women tried to separate the men, but the youth punched the victim to the head and he and Mattis pulled him to the ground.

As the victim lay curled up, Mattis kicked him to the head and punched him, hitting him with his feet and hands at least 13 times.

When shown CCTV of the attack, he said he didn’t realise how bad the assault was, but released on bail, he went on to commit the Malton attack.

For Mattis, David Camidge said he was remorseful for the first attack. The youth was given a youth rehabilitation order by Scarborough Youth Court for his part in the attack.