A violent man, who pushed a teenager off a balcony, is at risk of being given an extended jail sentence for public protection.

Jimmy Barrett, aged 18, fell two stories onto concrete from a flat in Lyttleton Avenue, Bromsgrove.

The fall shattered one of his feet and he ended up with a permanent limp after an operation to pin the bone, Worcester Crown Crown Court heard.

A jury convicted 29-year-old Gavin Patton, of Hanbury Road, Bromsgrove, of causing grievous bodily harm with intent after deliberating for over five hours.

Recorder Roger Freeman remanded him in custody for a pre-sentence report.

He must consider whether Patton, who has 72 previous convictions, presents a future risk of serious harm to members of the public.

Patton had split up with his girlfriend Ellie Hancox after a turbulent relationship, said Tim Sapwell, prosecuting.

But on the night she invited two members of her family and two friends round for the evening, Patton called uninvited.

When she refused to let him into the flat they once shared, he smashed the door down and the occupants ran onto the balcony to escape.

Two of them climbed along a parapet to get to another flat, but Mr Barrett was not so lucky.

Patton pushed his hip as he crawled along, which sent his legs dangling over the parapet. The teenager was left hanging on with two hands.

Then in a horror scene reminiscent of a film, Patton banged on his one hand, then prised the other free, sending the victim crashing off the balcony.

Mr Sapwell said it was a miracle that Mr Barrett was not more seriously injured. If he had twisted in mid-air he could have landed on his head.

Patton claimed he went round because he thought Miss Hancox was in trouble.

He said the occupants panicked and that the victim must have tripped over debris or a washing line on the balcony that caused his fall.

The jury heard during the three-day trial that Patton’s record included an injury assault in 1996, common assault a year later and affray. He is due to be sentenced on October 28.