Stunned- That’s the verdict of Gills chairman Paul Scally and his family after his son was locked up for two years.

Max Scally turned 18 on Thursday, but there was no mood for celebration.

His coming of age was spent contemplating his loss of freedom after being punished for breaking a 15-year-old’s jaw at an end of term party in July, 2007.

Mr Scally, was at Maidstone Crown Court for much of his son’s trial and again on Monday to see him being sentenced.

Speaking exclusively to the Medway Messenger, he said the whole family had been left “traumatised” by the judge’s decision.

He said: “The first part of this week has been very difficult for everyone, it’s almost like a bereavement.

“We are very upset and disillusioned with the justice system that has allowed this to happen.

“Anybody who knows the boy, knows the case, and was in court that day, will be stunned at the severity of the sentence.

“[The judge] thinks this is going to teach people a lesson in Kent and thinks he’s got to send a message out to youngsters.

“But frankly, I can’t see what message it sends out at all because this was just two boys who came together at a party over something and nothing.

“One boy threw a punch and unfortunately one boy as a result of that got his jaw broken.

“Max is mortified his friend’s brother got his jaw broken; he didn’t intend to break his jaw. He threw an unlucky punch which we are obviously devastated about.”

Mr Scally confirmed an appeal to overturn the sentence will be lodged

• Passing sentence when Max Scally appeared on Monday, Judge Andrew Patience QC, passing a two-year detention and training order, branded him “a thug and a coward.”

The court heard how Scally punched his victim in the face and then stamped on him during a party to celebrate the end of school in July, 2007.

The victim, now aged 17 and who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was left needing surgery to insert two metal plates into his jaw, which was broken in two places. Scally was 16 at the time of the attack.

Scally,from Farningham, was convicted by a jury of causing grievous bodily harm. He was cleared at a trial in December of a more serious charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Judge Patience told Scally: “No doubt those actions were impulsive and of an immature 16-year-old who had not thought out the consequences of his actions.”

Janette Hayne, defending, said Scally had acted “in a moment of madness”.

She said: “This is not a boy who would ever have imagined he was going to find himself in a custodial setting.

“He is hard-working, polite, has humility, is remorseful and deserves a chance.”