This shocking footage shows the vicious broad daylight attack a man was subjected to in the city centre.
James Byrne can be seen speaking with his victim on Oldham Street, before suddenly punching him to the face.
He lands another blow knocking him to the ground, kicking him to the head and throwing more punches.
Rough sleeper Byrne, 33, said he attacked the man because he had threatened to set fire to his tent.
His lawyer said Byrne lost his temper because he knew a homeless man who had been murdered after his tent was set alight.
At Manchester Crown Court on Wednesday, Byrne was jailed for 20 months.
Byrne also claimed the man he attacked had been selling Spice to 'young girls'.
Judge Alan Conrad QC told him: "You say that you had a grievance with him, but it didn't in any way justify what you had done."
The victim suffered a 'significant cut' to his face and swelling.
He didn't co-operate with prosecutors so further details of his injuries were not known.
CCTV operators alerted police after they saw the incident unfold on Sunday, June 21.
Byrne's barrister Carl Hargan said the defendant has spent most of is life sleeping rough, and has had problems with drink and drugs.
After the hearing, Superintendent Chris Hill, of GMP's City of Manchester Central division, said: "We are pleased with today's verdict as this assault from James Byrne was a ruthless and sustained attack which would have prolonged if it wasn’t for the swift arrival of our officers on patrol.
"We hope the public feel reassured by, not just our response to this incident, but also our response to their concerns about serious crime in this part of the City - the dedicated operation we now have in place was the reason this incident deflated as soon as it did and prevented even more serious injuries for the victim.
"The team are committed to ensuring that the levels of crime around this area continue to decrease and we will continue to ensure the resources that are deployed in dedication to this part of the City are maximised to protect the public from unwanted and unacceptable criminality in the area."
Byrne, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to section 20 wounding.
