A SCAFFOLDER broke another man's jaw after seeing him dancing with his estranged wife in a club, a court heard.

Craig Smith, 33, of Green Street, Chepstow had been convicted by Gwent magistrates of inflicting grievous bodily harm to Jordan Newbury.

During sentencing, Cardiff Crown court heard from prosecutor Justin Amos who said Smith was in the Liquid club, Chepstow, just after midnight on July 26 and had gone there to speak to his estranged wife, Rachel Smith.

At one point Mrs Smith began dancing with old friend Mr Newbury.

"Smith saw what was going on, made his way to the couple and struck him a single blow to the side of the jaw," said Mr Amos.

Mr Newbury was taken to hospital after suffering a broken jaw and loss of feeling to the left side of his face. The following week underwent an operation when metal plates were inserted in the jaw and a wisdom tooth was removed to avoid an infection.

Much of the feeling to the side of his face and part of his lip has gone and it could be permanent.

When interviewed Smith told the police he thought his wife had been flirting and he became upset and struck out "in frustration and anger."

He didn't believe the injury would be as serious as it was.

Smith was said to have two previous convictions for causing actual bodily harm, one of which involved headbutting and punching a man, and to have been cautioned for possessing an offensive weapon, a flick knife.

Smith's counsel Hugh Wallace, said "At the time he was at a low point and drinking to excess. His wife had gone and he was seeking a reconciliation."

"With a gallon of beer swilling around inside him he stepped forward and struck Mr Newbury."

He said the couple were now almost reconciled.

Judge William Gaskell told the defendant: "You described yourself that night as being paralytic, having drunk ten pints and four to five shooters on an empty stomach."

Smith was jailed for six months and no order for compensation was made.