A 28-year-old businessman has been jailed for eighteen months for unleashing a 'sustained' assault on another man during a dispute over a taxi.

Zack Perez, of The Lawns, Abbeydale, left his victim requiring multiple operations, Gloucester crown court was told.

Perez, who runs a business in Gloucester, admitted assaulting Jeremy Linley back on February 24 2018, causing him grievous bodily harm.

The court heard he was likely to miss the birth of his child while in custody and it was likely his partner would lose her home.

Judge Michael Cullum heard that the victim, Mr Linley, had fractures to his jaw, cheekbone and eye socket and also suffered dislodged teeth.

Mr Linley had to undergo extensive surgeries to repair his injuries and in his personal impact statement to the court he paid tribute to the NHS staff who dealt with him.

Perez, who had no previous convictions and was described as having 'positive previous good character' could be seen punching and kicking at Mr Linley CCTV in Southgate Street.

He delivered blows to Mr Linley from outside the taxi where his victim was sat, and could be seen chasing after the vehicle as it made away around the corner towards Longsmith Street.

The judge said he had counted 'double figures' of punches and 'at least one hard kick.'

He said: "I would be failing in my duty if I did not impose an immediate custodial sentence."

Prosecutor, James Haskell, said Mr Linley had been out with others for a stag do, and some of the group decided to leave Gloucester Quays to finish the evening early.

At 11.30pm they headed to the taxi rank on Southgate Street, the prosecutor said.

There the dispute over whose taxi had arrived developed with Mr Linley's group and a group including Perez and his uncle.

That man was not named in court but Mr Haskell said: "The uncle was perhaps fortunate not to be charged for his actions in the disturbance."

The judge agreed: "His uncle is clearly committing offences."

Matthew Harbinson, representing Perez, added: "The decision not to prosecute his uncle defies logic.

"He now bears the burden alone."

As Mr Haskell talked the judge through the CCTV footage it could be seen that as a second taxi arrived, Perez had taken a seat in the first.

The uncle was still on the street 'getting involved'.

Perez then exited his taxi and delivered his onslaught to Mr Linley, who was sitting in the taxi behind.

"Both the defendant and his uncle try to attack the taxi as it drives off," Mr Haskell said.

The court heard that Mr Linley was taken to hospital and had to undergo three operations. Metal plates and screws were inserted.

In his personal statement Mr Linley said: "I have now got a jaw bolted together, a cheekbone which will never look the same and a bite that will never be the same.

"I now have a scar running down the right side"

Mr Haskell referred to a 'persistent sense of vulnerability'.

He said Mr Linley had missed nine weeks of work, and had lost a stone in weight due to a 'diet of soup'.

He could not play with his young son, and had suffered 'ongoing depression'.

Mr Linley paid tribute to those who treated him: "They did an amazing job in reconstructing my jaw, I would thank the hospital staff."

On behalf of Perez, Mr Harbinson said 'there was a lot riding on the outcome' of the court case for his client, and his family.

He said he was a businessman who employed others, was also deeply involved in the care of his mother who had MS.

"The forty to forty-five seconds of madness captured on the CCTV are as out of character," the lawyer said, handing up glowing testimonials.

"There is no plausible explanation for his actions that night.

"He has been saving for today with £14,000 set aside in an effort to mitigate his conduct.

"A suspended sentence would allow him to continue his businesses. To provide for his child.

The judge jailed Perez and ordered him to pay £1,000 in compensation to Mr Linley, an amount he stressed was 'a mere token' in relation to the harm he had suffered.