A man was yesterday starting a life jail sentence for a "savage attack" on another man in a Braintree pub.

John Cowland was left with a broken jaw and a mis-shapen face after he was given a severe beating by Troy Willing, 33.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard how Willing had a string of previous convictions for violent offences, including affray and assault and had been jailed for three years in 1996 for biting off part of a man's ear.

Under new "two strikes and you're out" laws, Judge Benjamin Pearson told Willing he was going to prison for life.

But the judge told him the minimum jail term he would serve would be three years and 326 days. Once released he will be on licence, which means any further offences would result in him going back to prison.

"You gave your victim a severe beating in an unprovoked and sustained attack on a defenceless man," Judge Pearson told Willing.

"You held him by throat with one hand and continually punched him in the face with the other."

And the judge added: "Every time he sees his own very mis-shapen face, he will be reminded of the trauma of that night."

Judge Pearson also told Willing he presented a serious risk to the public because of his previous record.

Willing, of Notley Road, Braintree, had denied but was convicted on a charge of causing Mr Cowland grievous bodily harm with intent.

Another man, Leslie Smith, 35, of Masefield Road, Braintree, denied charges of causing Mr Cowland previous bodily harm and affray and was found not guilty by the jury. He was formally discharged by the court.

The court heard how the charges related to an incident at the Railway Tavern in Braintree on May 24 last year.

Deborah Champion, prosecuting, said Mr Cowland was sitting at the bar having a drink when he was approached by Smith who then punched him in the face.

Mr Cowland was then attacked by Willing. He grabbed him by the throat and punched Mr Cowland repeatedly in the face, Miss Champion said.

Later, Mr Cowland was taken outside the pub where the attack continued. He received a broken jaw, his face was severely swollen and he also lost a tooth, the court heard.

Smith told police after his arrest he had hit a man but said he had been hit first. Willing claimed he had only intervened to pull Smith away from Mr Cowland.

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