JILTED Shaun Evans lost it the night he saw his ex-girlfriend talking to a man in a bar. Convinced the other man was smirking at him, Evans strode across the floor and delivered an uppercut blow, fracturing the man s lower jaw. Luton Crown Court was tol

JILTED Shaun Evans "lost it" the night he saw his ex-girlfriend talking to a man in a bar.

Convinced the other man was smirking at him, Evans strode across the floor and delivered an uppercut blow, fracturing the man's lower jaw.

Luton Crown Court was told today (Friday) that his victim, Mark Salmon, was unable to eat solid foods for six weeks as a result of the injuries he suffered that night in the club.

Evans, 28, of Icknield Walk, Royston, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Peter Shaw, prosecuting, said the scene of the attack was the Barracuda Club in Baldock Street, Royston late on the night of June 19.

Mr Salmon was inside the bar with a group of friends enjoying himself. Also there was the defendant and a young woman called Kylie Marshall.

Up until that night, said Mr Shaw, Evans and the woman had been going out together but, in the club that evening, she had told him it was over.

The prosecutor said Mr Salmon had known the woman for some weeks and between 11.30 and midnight had been talking to her in the bar.

Mr Shaw said she told him she had split from Evans and, at one stage, pointed him out.

The court heard she walked off moments later, but it was the cue for Evans to walk up to Mr Salmon and punch him once in the jaw.

Recorder Alistair Sharp was told that Mr Salmon fell to the ground and was struck further by Evans.

It was later discovered that the victim had suffered a fractured lower jaw which, luckily, did not require an operation, although he was unable to eat solid foods for six weeks.

A witness to the assault described the punch from Evans as "huge and powerful".

When he was arrested by police, Evans said he had seen Mr Salmon smirking at him and he admitted he had "lost it".

Minah Raj, defending, said Evans was now deeply remorseful.

On the night it happened, she said, he had been under stress over health problems concerning both his parents. She said it was that same night in the club that Miss Marshall chose to end the relationship.

"He found himself absolutely devastated, adding to the stress he was already undergoing," she added.

Recorder Sharp jailed Evans for nine months.

He told him: "The message must go out that people cannot lose their temper for no reason at all and cause injuries of this nature.