A SERIAL offender has been jailed again after attacking a vulnerable man in an alleyway.

Steven Gorvett, from Orford, was handed eight months behind bars at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday, January 28.

The court heard that the victim of the assault was using the cash machine at the Roma Off Licence on Orford Lane on Friday, August 30 2019, when he was approached by the 42-year-old - who had been inside the shop.

Gorvett, of Winwick Road, asked if he 'remembered him' – having previously bought the man £65 of drugs which he had not paid back.

While the victim walked away towards his grandma's house, the dad-of-two followed him into an alleyway leading to Sharp Street.

The addict then punched him in the face twice, knocking him to the floor before hitting him another three times.

At this point, the man's cash card fell out of his pocket and the defendant picked it up, fleeing as the victim screamed for help.

Within minutes, the card had been used in an attempt to buy £2 of scratchcards from Noone's News on Longford Street – although the transaction was declined.

Gorvett, who has 41 previous convictions for 157 offences, was later identified by CCTV in the store and arrested the following month.

The court heard that he had 'gone too far after a chance meeting' with his debtor.

He was recalled on licence to prison after being detained by police, having previously been released halfway through a 32-month jail term handed down in September 2017 for burglary.

On that occasion, the convicted robber broke into a Stockton Heath home and stole valuables after his drug-fuelled 40th birthday party.

Gorvett, who appeared in court via video link to HMP Liverpool, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm, theft and fraud during an earlier hearing.

Sentencing, judge Gary Woodhall said: "You believed he was avoiding paying you back the money, and I've no doubt that this would have made you angry and frustrated.

"Although you were owed money, this could never justify taking his property.

"These offences are significantly aggravated by your previous convictions, and they are further aggravated by the complainant's vulnerability – these offences are so serious that only a custodial sentence is justified."

Gorvett was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge.