A man punched and kicked another mourner at a wake saying "he slept with my ex-wife" with the victim left unconscious on the floor, a court heard.

Businessman Adrian Degg, 47, launched his attack outside the wake at The Cottage in Oakhill, Stoke-on-Trent, with his victim taken to hospital where he received treatment for fractures to his left and right lower jaw. He had metal plates inserted and has since suffered an infection.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court heard how Degg believed he had slept with his ex-wife when he launched his attack. Degg, who has now been jailed for 27 months, punched the man in the face and the victim fell to the floor. As the man lay unconscious, Degg stepped away before returning and booting him in the face.

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Prosecutor Hunter Gray said the incident happened outside The Cottage at 5pm on December 2, 2022. Mr Gray said: "There was a wake following a fixture. Just after 5pm a witness saw the defendant and the victim walking.

"The defendant swung his arm out connecting with the victim's face. The man fell to the floor unconscious. Degg stepped away and returned and kicked him to the face. He described it as being with 'some force'.

"The witness and other customers went to the victim. He was taken by car to hospital. The defendant was asked what had happened and he said, 'He slept with my ex-wife'."

The victim had two operations on his jaw. He described the attack as cowardly and vicious and said it led to him losing his job and his home. He became depressed and has since suffered heart attacks. He struggles to eat certain foods, reported StokeonTrentLive.

The sister of the man whose wake it was said it was supposed to be a celebration of his life but they have been left with memories of Degg's aggression and selfish behaviour. She added that the emotional impact of the assault will remain for years to come.

In a statement Degg said he felt threatened by the victim as he thought he was going to be struck. He claimed to have hit the man to the side of the head with 'not much force'. Degg, from Newcastle, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm. Paul Cliff, mitigating, said the violence was unpleasant. He said: "After the two blows Degg walked away. Despite the wake inside the pub, this incident took place on the street."

He said it has been accepted that there was no link between the assault and the victim's heart issues. He said Degg is lightly convicted with nothing on his record since 2004. He has his own construction business and a lot of people rely on him as he employs contractors. Mr Cliff said: "The business has become successful over 15 years. He has built that business up.

"The sentence is capable of suspension. This is the type of case where a suspended sentence can properly be imposed. There have been no further problems involving Mr Degg and the complainant.

"If the sentence is immediate the business will fold. There would be knock-on effects for people largely dependent on him. And there would be implications for his partner and the children. He can demonstrate that he can stay out of trouble. He is capable of rehabilitation."

Judge Richard McConaghy said: "You hit him in the face, knocking him to the ground and rendering him unconscious. You then kicked him directly to the face. At the scene you made it clear you had embarked on a revenge attack as you believed he had been involved with your ex wife.

"You broke his jaw in two places which had to be operated on and metal plates inserted. There have been complications, infections in the jaw, pain and nerve problems keep him awake at night.

"You are a hard working man. I have read about your business and how you have supported your family over the years. You have been out of trouble for 20 years. Your offending is so serious that only immediate custody is appropriate."