CHAMPION Exeter boxer Aaron Seldon has been jailed for leaving a man with brain damage in a vicious street attack.

Seldon, 20, who has competed for his country, was jailed for four years and three months after being told it was lucky that his victim, Wayne Kelly, had not died.

Seldon, of Hill Barton Road, Whipton, also broke John Garland's jaw when he came to the rescue of Mr Kelly, in an unprovoked, late-night attack.

Following the sentencing his former boxing coach told the Echo he was "devastated" at the jail term.

Dean Saunders, 26, of Springfield Road, St James, was also jailed for two years and Shaun Bond, 20, of Headland Crescent, Whipton, was given nine months in prison, suspended for two years.

Bond must also complete 180 hours of unpaid work in the community and a three-month curfew was imposed during which he must stay at home on Friday and Saturday nights.

Seldon had pleaded guilty to assaulting Scott Morgan in Honiton's Pit Club and was later convicted of an offence of affray and unlawfully wounding both Mr Kelly and Mr Garland in the town's High Street.

Saunders was convicted of unlawfully wounding Mr Garland, while Bond had been found guilty of affray, following a trial.

Judge Cottle told them: "This ended with three people injured, two very seriously, one of whom might have died on the High Street in Honiton and it is pure good fortune that you, Seldon, do not stand convicted at the very least of manslaughter."

Prosecutor Lee Bremridge said Seldon and Bond had travelled to Honiton to watch Saunders as guest DJ at the Pit Club. Seldon launched an unprovoked attack on fellow clubgoer Scott Morgan and was ordered to leave by doormen, but later returned and waited outside.

Upon leaving, Bond threw a bottle in the street, which did not hit anyone, then he and Seldon started a further unprovoked row with Mr Morgan.

Mr Kelly told Seldon and Bond to leave Mr Morgan alone and then followed the group down the alley to ask why they were shouting abuse at him.

The prosecutor said: "Mr Seldon punched him and sent him pole-axed to the floor… a witness described Mr Kelly falling to the ground and the sound of an almighty crack."

Seldon punched Mr Garland when he came to his friend's rescue, with Saunders joining in. Bond was not involved in the violence against Mr Kelly or Mr Garland.

The court heard Saunders later sent his girlfriend a text message, referring to Mr Garland as the "matey I whacked".

Mr Kelly needed surgery for brain damage and a fractured skull, neck and cheekbone.

He now has permanent brain damage, including slurred speech and memory loss.

Mr Garland needed metal plates surgically implanted in his broken jaw and has missing teeth, permanent numbness and difficulty eating.

While on trial, Seldon and Bond were serving a prison sentence for a public order offence, involving a fracas at the Lord Nelson Pub in Topsham, committed while on bail for the Honiton incident.

Saunders has a much longer criminal record including dishonesty, driving offences, harassment and a prison sentence for a robbery at an Exeter shop.

Defence counsel Rupert Taylor said in mitigation that Seldon had been a "model sportsman" until recently, when he turned to drink and "mindless violence".

Mr Taylor said Seldon realised he had let his family down with his behaviour and he was keen to transform his life by joining the army upon release from prison.

Emily Pitts, for Saunders, said he had been "soul-searching" since the incident and wanted to apologise to his victim, while Bond was tackling his drinking and had a job lined up.

City boxing coach Mike Etheridge trained Seldon for more than a decade.

After hearing of the jail term he told the Echo: "Aaron had a brilliant career as a boxer and if he keeps his head on and his mind is right when he comes out then he still will have a career ahead of him.

"I'm devastated he's been jailed. I wouldn't like to see any of the lads go to prison, but if it is just, then fair enough.

"Aaron is a very nice, family guy and he had always been welcomed by my family.

"Hopefully, he will come out a better man."

In tomorrow's Echo detectives reveal the story behind the trio's conviction.