A jealous thug who punched the man who flirted with his girlfriend breaking his jaw has been jailed for a year.

Sentencing Jack Hope at Swindon Crown Court, Judge Peter Crabtree described the 32-year-old’s attack as completely unprovoked.

“There was no real provocation for your violence, which appears to have been born out of jealousy in your intoxicated state,” he said.

Hope’s victim was said to have been walking home when he bumped into a small group of friends outside the Spring Gardens car park on May 9 last year.

They included the defendant’s then girlfriend. The victim flirted with her, apparently touching her bottom.

Hope was nearby, speaking into his mobile phone. As his victim went to say goodbye to his friends, Hope rounded on the man, striking him once in the jaw.

The man ran home, his jaw broken in two places. He was admitted first to Great Western Hospital then sent to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, to have his jaw pinned.

Prosecutor David Stanton said the victim had not made a personal statement, despite enquiries being made by detectives to obtain one.

In a witness statement made at the time of the assault last summer the man said doctors had told him he would not be able to eat solid food for a month.

Hope, formerly of Common Hill, Cricklade, but who appeared before the court via video link from HMP Bullingdon, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard:

Jack Hope Picture: WILTSHIRE POLICE

Last month he admitted failing to surrender to the court after was a no show at a sentencing hearing on March 3.

The court heard he had previous convictions for assault and theft.

Emma Handslip, defending, said her client had fallen into using drugs and alcohol.

However, he had detoxed in custody and his brother had offered him a home and a job for when he was released. Hope was described as having a strong work ethic.

A probation officer assessed him as posing a medium risk of reoffending and a medium risk of harming members of the public.

Jailing Hope, Judge Crabtree said he had considered suspending the sentence but concluded only immediate custody would be appropriate. “This was a violent attack for no good reason by a man intoxicated through drink and drugs.”