When 22-year-old Ryan Bayliss appeared before Truro Crown Court for sentence on Friday Judge Jeffrey Rucker told him: "At first I thought this was a case of lock him up and throw away the key'."

But having read reports which referred to Bayliss's achievements while in custody for 237 days, and suggesting there was optimism for the future, he had decided to imprison him for three years and to extend the period on which he will be on licence by a further two years.

Bayliss, who had been living in Unity Road, Porthleven, had pleaded guilty in December to unlawfully and maliciously wounding David Palmer and burgling two homes in Porthleven and Helston from which he stole property which included jewellery, a laptop computer and accessories, mini disc player, mobile phone, purse and cash.

Mr Palmer suffered a broken arm, badly bruised kidney and other cuts and bruises when attacked in the Sunken Garden in Helston, and Bayliss also assaulted two young women who were nearby.

"It was a very unpleasant assault," said the Judge, who also referred to Bayliss's previous record as "very bad."