A man was forced to eat through a straw after having his jaw broken in an unprovoked attack.
Mark Sandford, 23, was assaulted by Nicholas Butcher in Thornhilll, Southampton, three days before Halloween last year,
Mother and daughter shot dead in East Sussex 'filled family with laughter'
The 32-year-old attacker, who was wearing a scary mask, had been trying to frighten the victim’s dog at approximately 4.45pm, the court heard.
Butcher then hit Mr Sandford with a single punch when he defended his pet.
MORE: Couple who claimed food poisoning at holiday resort caught out by pouting poolside selfies
Paul Fairley, prosecuting, explained how the defendant asked Mr Sandford ‘are you starting’ before launching the attack.
The victim suffered chipped teeth on top of his broken jaw and needed surgery.
‘I am scared to go outside now and don’t feel safe,’ Mr Sandford said in a victim impact statement.
‘I was on a diet without solid food and had to be fed through a straw.
‘I hope he realises the impact that this had on my life. It also affected me financially.’
MORE: Fears grow for schoolboy, 12, missing in ‘Arctic’ conditions
Butcher, from Bournemouth, Dorset, previously admitted assault causing grievous bodily harm at Southampton Crown Court and was sentenced to two years in prison.
Judge Gary Burrell QC said: ‘This was a vicious and unprovoked attack and you don’t seem to be able to control yourself.
‘Your body language tells me that you don’t disagree with that.’
Fern Russell, defending, added her client was trying to get help for his anger issues and had apologised.
Mr Sandford thanked the police and several motorists who witnessed the incident and came forward.
Butcher had tried to intimidate the drivers before the assault.
MORE: Charities lose hundreds of thousands of pounds because clothes banks keep being stolen
MORE: Millennials charged double the cost of 26-30 railcard while on hold to buy one
[contf] [contfnew] 
METRO
[contfnewc] [contfnewc]
