A VIOLENT thug stamped on his friend’s head after knocking him unconscious - leaving him on a liquid diet and petrified of leaving his home.

Jamie Newman-Portch, 30, was jailed for three years at court yesterday after attacking his victim during a night out in Southend on February 4.

The court heard that a disagreement broke out between the two in the city centre and Newman-Portch launched the attack in a drunken rage.

He knocked him unconscious before stamping on his head while he was on the floor.

Southend Crown Court heard the victim is on a liquid diet due to fractures to his cheeks and jaw.

He later attacked a police officer who attended the scene.

A statement from the victim said: “I keep waking up in sweats, scared I am being strangled.

“I am worried about leaving the house and suffering sleepless nights. I cannot talk or chew and can only have liquid food.”

Charlotte Oliver, prosecuting, added: “The victim needed to have plates and screws fitted to his jaw.

“When the defendant was arrested he forced an officer’s head up to the top of the police van, causing bruising to the officer’s ear and cheek.

“He punched the victim unconscious and then stamped on his head while he was on the ground.”

Paul Jones, mitigating, insisted Newman-Portch regrets his role in the incident.

He said: “He admitted the offences early and apologies to the victim in a letter. There was a disagreement on both sides and he finds the prospect of prison scary.

“He wants to turn his life around and has a baby on the way, but will miss the golden years of his child growing up.”

He told the court his client struggled at school and left with no qualifications, but has been taking exams and studying while in prison.

Sentencing, Recorder Elroy Claxton said: “You used your foot as a weapon and the injuries were horrific.

“The injuries caused him anxiety and have restricted his lifestyle and it will take some time for him to recover. You have to look at your life and change it.

“He will be in pain and have loss of sensation for some time.”

Newman-Portch, of no fixed address, was sentenced to three years in prison for causing grievous bodily harm and sentenced to three months for assaulting an emergency worker.

Both sentences will run concurrently.