A VIOLENT criminal who launched a bloody attack on another resident of a home for offenders in York has been jailed for life.

Kevin Warwick, 38, repeatedly hit Paul Newton in the face with a heavy glass ashtray, a mug and then a table lamp after bursting into the victim's locked bedroom in Robinsons Court, Walmgate, York.

York Crown Court heard that when badly-injured Mr Newton said he had had enough, his attacker replied: "You've had enough when I say you've had enough".

Witnesses described the victim, his bed and the walls of his room at the Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (YACRO), as "soaked" in blood. He was taken to hospital by ambulance and received 12 stitches to wounds in his face that included five 2cm cuts.

The Honorary Recorder of York, Judge Paul Hoffman, told Warwick he was "capable of killing" and would remain a danger to the public for a very long time.

He sentenced him to life in prison, with an order that he served at least 26 months and 15 days before he was eligible for parole.

He said: "This was a considered offence and you battered the victim first of all with a large glass ashtray, then with a mug and then with a bedside lamp.

"You assaulted him several times and naturally he was in fear of his life.

"I believe you are capable of killing somebody and there is a significant risk from you in terms of violence to others or serious harm in the future."

Speaking outside the court, Det Con Ian Murray, of York CID, welcomed the sentence.

He said: "It was a serious offence, for which he has received the appropriate sentence."

Prosecutor David Hall said Warwick could receive a life sentence under the Crime Sentences Act because he was convicted of rape in 1993.

He said Warwick had a string of convictions for violence, dishonesty and theft beginning in 1985, when he was 18.

He was sentenced to 12 years for the rape and has also served time for violent offences.

The court heard that after the Walmgate attack on August 3, Mr Newton refused to give a statement to police. The prosecution said Warwick had threatened to kill him if he did.

But police arrested the father-of-one, who has also lived at the York Arc Light Centre and Grosvenor Terrace, three months later in connection with an unprovoked attack at a York nightspot.

He was remanded in custody for that offence and when detectives contacted Mr Newton again he agreed to be interviewed.

In May, a jury found Warwick guilty of butting a man and kicking him in the face at Reflex, in George Hudson Street.

At yesterday's hearing Judge Hoffman sentenced him to three months to run concurrently for the offence. He ordered a further charge of robbery, also allegedly at YACRO, to be left on his file.

In mitigation, Peter Johnson said a life sentence was appropriate and described his client's background as "dreadful".

He said there had been "severe provocation" earlier in the day, but gave no details.

Updated: 10:18 Wednesday, June 22, 2005