OLYMPIC boxing silver medal holder Fred Evans, 24, narrowly avoided jail today after breaking a friend's jaw with a single punch in a country pub.

An immediate prison sentence would have been 'devastating' for the welterweight boxer's future career, Gloucester crown court was told.

Judge Jamie Tabor QC allowed the world class fighter to continue his training for next year's Rio Olympics by giving him a suspended jail term for the brutal assault.

Evans, of Oaktree Stables, Tyla Lane, Cardiff, had pleaded guilty to unlawfully wounding a fellow member of the 'travelling community' Michael Wilson, of Ledbury, Hfds, by punching him when they were out together at a pub in Redmarley, nr Newent, Glos.

The attack put Mr Wilson in hospital for four days with a broken jaw.

Evans is the current Olympic silver medal holder at welterweight after he was runner up at the London 2012 Olympics.

Imposing a two year jail term suspended for two years Judge Tabor said the assault last October at The Inn, Redmarley, was an 'enigma.'

"Why on earth you lost your self control and punched your good friend, breaking his jaw, seems impossible to unravel," said the judge,

"There must have been an undercurrent in your relationship with Michael Wilson which you and he are not saying anything about.

"To get where you have in the boxing world you must have shown great dedication, self discipline and self control.

"But there is no excuse for what you did and you richly deserve a prison sentence - but I feel able to suspend that sentence."

The boxer's coach, Nigel Davis, had made an impassioned plea for Evans to be spared jail because it would 'devastate his work and his career.'

Mr Davis told the court "I met him at the gym in Port Talbot when he was only four. It was near a travellers site and it is well known that travellers use bare knuckle fighting to settle disputes.

"But the moment I saw Fred box I could not believe what I saw - the kid was so special and I realised then he could become a world champion.

"He went on to win five National Four Nations titles and the silver at the Olympic Games in London.

"I have taken him all over the world and know him well. He must have been provoked beyond belief to have struck out at his friend. He is not a bully. He is a lovely lad."

At a previous hearing when Evans admitted the unlawful wounding charge the judge asked for victim Mr Wilson to be brought into court - a move welcomed by Fred's barrister Ian Dixey who said he was anxious for the court to see the difference in size between the two men.

"I think it is important you see Mr Wilson's size in relation to the defendant," said Mr Dixey.

In the witness box, Mr Wilson was asked by the judge how he is now feeling and whether his injuries still cause him any problems, almost a year on from the assault.

"You had a broken jaw and your nose displaced?" said the judge.

Mr Wilson said "I am shook up still. But I am physically OK now. I am a bit frightened and nervous. Everywhere I go I keep watching my back and looking over my shoulder."

Today prosecutor Julian Kesner said "The defendant knows the force of his fists because of his boxing career. His fists are weapons.

"On that evening the defendant, his brother Jason and Mr Wilson had been drinking in their local pub near Newent and at first everything seemed OK.

"The pub closed, leaving the trio, the landlord and his friend still there having a good time,

"But close to midnight the defendant suddenly swept the glasses across the bar and then punched Mr Wilson with his right fist to the left jaw and shouted something to the effect of 'You're dead.'

"The victim did not stand a chance and his jaw was broken. He spent four days in hospital and had a molar tooth removed, which was a compLicated procedure.

"The victim had suffered asthma until he was 12 but now, since the assault, this condition has returned. He also feels numbness to the jaw."

Defence barrister Ian Dixey said "It is hard to understand why this happened as the two have been friends for years."

As well as the suspended sentence Evans was ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work for the community. He was also ordered to pay his victim compensation of £2,000.