A FACTORY worker blinded a neighbour with a spray and then repeatedly punched and kicked him – breaking the man’s cheekbone – in an “act of revenge”.

Dawid Jakubowski was jailed for two years for the attack on Thai boxer and coach Wesley Johnson following a barbecue at the flats where they both lived.

The victim required surgery to insert a plate in his face and has been left with blurred vision in his left eye.

Bolton Crown Court heard Jakubowski, aged 31, had been upset by Mr Johnson’s attraction to his ex-girlfriend – with whom he has a six-year-old daughter – and the text message exchanges between the two.

Judge Richard Gioserano told him: “He considered you a friend and you have shown no remorse.

“This was not one punch in the heat of an argument which is instantly regretted. There was no provocation whatsoever.

“It was in some ways an act of revenge for his interest in your former partner and the mother of your daughter.

“You told the jury you knew of the messages and it didn’t bother you.

“This contact and this interest between Mr Johnson and Ewa Bubrowski was in fact something that did bother you.”

The court heard the defendant and the victim enjoyed a barbecue at Nikita House in Manchester Road, Bolton, on March 26 last year.

Mr Johnson was returning to his room when Jakubowski followed him along the corridor and called his attention.

Judge Gioserano said: “When he turned around you immediately sprayed him in the face to hurt him or render him defenceless or both.

“It caused him a great deal of pain and discomfort and he was afraid he eyesight would not return.”

Jakubowski punched and kicked his neighbour numerous times and the attack only stopped when Ms Bubrowski dragged him off.

Mr Johnson’s left cheekbone was fractured in three places, for which he needed specialist facial surgery at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

His victim impact statement said he still suffers soreness and numbness in his face and the injury diminished his participation and consequently his enjoyment of Thai boxing.

Jakubowski worked as a goods inward manager at Toughsheet in Westhoughton and the firm’s managing director Doug Mercer told the judge: “I really feel it’s totally out of character for the Dawid Jakubowski I know. He’s one of the hardest-working, nice and kindest people that work for me. I believe this is absolutely a one-off.”

Jakubowski denied causing grievous bodily harm but was convicted after trial.