A thug who launched a vicious attack after he believed his victim had relieved himself on his girlfriend’s car has been jailed for six years.

Keiron Seamer suffered a fractured cheekbone in the assault by Ashley Stapley and needed specialist treatment at a facial unit.

Stapley, of Mann Square, Tonbridge, was convicted of wounding with intent. He denied the charge and an alternative of unlawful wounding.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Mr Seamer lived in Goreham Drive, Tonbridge, and Stapley’s mother lived in the same street.

Prosecutor John O’Higgins said both families knew each other and had got on perfectly well.

Both men had been out on August 18 2013. Mr Seamer went to a pub with friends and Stapley, 23, was out with his girlfriend.

"There is simply no excuse for attacking someone with a metal bar and Stapley’s actions could quite easily have had fatal consequences..." - Det Con Hayley Campbell

Mr O’Higgins said Mr Seamer had a lot to drink and a small amount of cocaine.

When he reached Goreham Drive he urinated behind the car.

Stapley was in his truck with his girlfriend, parked in front of her car. He later turned up in the street.

The victim did not recall precisely what happened because of his injuries but two residents in the street saw Stapley strike Mr Seamer with a weapon.

One said it was either a metal pole or piece of wood. She saw a man being hit two or three times and said he was then out cold.

Mr O’Higgins said Stapley then disappeared for almost a week. He heard he was wanted by the police and gave himself up.

He accepted causing the injury but said Mr Seamer had been aggressive towards him and was punched twice by him.

Stapley said he struck Mr Seamer once with his fist.

But said Mr O’Higgins: “The injuries were rather severe for just one blow to the face with a hand.”

Mr Seamer was taken to hospital and given a CT scan which revealed a non-displaced fracture of the cheekbone. His sinus had completely filled with blood.

He was transferred to the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead for facial surgery.

After sentencing, Detective Constable Hayley Campbell said: "There is simply no excuse for attacking someone with a metal bar and Stapley’s actions could quite easily have had fatal consequences.

"I’m pleased that the courts have recognised the severity of this incident by punishing Stapley with a very significant prison sentence and I would hope the length of this jail term serves as a warning to others, that the use of any weapons will not be tolerated."