A MAN who was the centre of a national manhunt after a homophobic attack in Islington was jailed for 32 months this week.

Alex Ogden fled the borough in October after police found his victim, who is in his 50s, with a broken nose and several cuts to his face.

Police said that Ogden had used a knife and subjected the man to homophobic abuse.

Forensic officers identified Ogden as the main suspect and he was arrested in Southwark in November. It was revealed this week that the 28-year-old had 39 previous convictions, mainly in the north of England.

He pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm and was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Tuesday.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Ridley said: “Ogden has a prolific offending history, targeting multiple victims across the country. This offence was treated as a homophobic hate crime for the appalling comments used during the attack. I would urge any members of the public to come forward if they have also been subjected to hate crime.”