A PONTYPOOL man has been jailed after he broke another man's jaw with a single punch when he saw him speaking to his ex-girlfriend.

Daniel Taylor, 23, of Penygarn, was at The Courtyard club on Cambrian Road in Newport with friends in the early hours of Sunday May 15 this year when he spotted his ex-girlfriend speaking to another man.

Thinking that the pair had been romantically involved, Cardiff Crown Court heard how Taylor got increasingly frustrated at the situation.

At 3.40am, “without any warning”, Taylor propelled himself across the dance floor, the court was told, punching the man and sending him to floor, before standing over him and saying “that’s my ex”.

The victim was left bleeding profusely from the mouth, and, after going to the Royal Gwent Hospital, received surgery for two fractures to his jaw, the court also heard. He had plates inserted into his face and a tooth removed after it was dislodged by force of the fracture.

Taylor was shown a video of the incident taken in the club, was in police custody, which left him feeling “distressed and ashamed”, it was said.

Taylor pleaded guilty to a charge of wounding causing grievous bodily harm

On Tuesday May 17, the victims brother received a Facebook message from Taylor, asking if the victim could ring him so he could apologise.

Stephen Thomas, defending, called Taylor “popular with his peers” and respected by the community.

“He accepted full responsibility for what happened from the outset and doesn’t blame the victim in any way,” he said.

“He was expressing sincere remorse and became visibly upset when shown what he did by the police officer in an interview.

“He is a hard working young man [...] he has no particular issues, he is not a drug taker or a big drinker. He is a normal young man."

Recorder David Miller, summing up, described the nature of the attack as the “aggravating factor” in the case.

The court also heard that Taylor had previous convictions, including an offence of 'battery' in 2008 and a caution for theft.

“One of your friends told him he was being disrespectful because he was talking to your ex," Recorder Miller said. "That made you so angry that you behaved in the most awful fashion."

“I have seen the footage. You propelled yourself with considerable strength and athleticism through the dance floor and people that were there and punched your victim with devastating force,” he added.

“It wasn’t a face off and there was no provocation. You just hit him extremely hard when he wasn’t looking.

“You were drunk and in a licensed premises and there were lots of people about. Violence in night clubs is all too regular and it makes everyone feel vulnerable.”

Taylor was sentenced to 10 months in prison. He will serve at least half before being released on custody.

He was also ordered to pay a £120 victim surcharge.

0-months in prison for breaking a man’s jaw.