A former cage fighter who launched a horrifying attack on his ex-wife, leaving her with life-changing injuries, has been jailed for 11 years.

Under the extended sentence for public protection, Gary Marcel will have to serve two-thirds of the term before his release is considered and he will be on licence for a further four years.

A judge told the 46-year-old Maidstone doorman the assault, in which he punched and kicked Charlotte Small and vowed to kill her, was vicious and sustained.

She was so badly injured she declared she did not recognise herself when she looked in the mirror.

Miss Small was left battered and bruised. She suffered a fractured eye socket and her left ear was almost ripped off. She needed extensive facial surgery and is scarred for life.

Police officers found her half-naked, covered in blood and groaning on the floor at her home in Tovil Road, Maidstone.

Muscular Marcel's hands were so bloody they looked as though they had been dipped in red dye, Maidstone Crown Court heard.

Marcel, of Holborough Road, Snodland, denied attempted murder and his guilty plea to causing grievous bodily harm with intent was accepted. He also admitted breaching a restraining order.

Prosecutor Martin Yale said the former soldier was a bare-knuckle or cage fighter who had been in a relationship with Miss Small since 2010.

"However, the relationship became turbulent and violent, leading to the involvement of the police," he said. "Miss Small described him as very controlling and it is clear he was very jealous."

In February last year, he was cautioned for assaulting her. He had thrown her down the stairs and smashed up their home.

Miss Small, Marcel and her children moved to Devon where she helped run a pub, but six months later he attacked her again and was given a suspended prison sentence for assault and harassment.

A restraining order was imposed, to remain in force until December 2017.

Miss Small moved back to Maidstone and Marcel continued to contact her trying to get back with her.

But on December 22 last year he kicked in the door of her home late at night and beat her almost to a pulp.

Judge Michael Carroll told Marcel, who had been married twice before: "You caused horrific and life-changing injuries to this young woman."

Philip Sinclair, defending, said it was clearly an extremely unpleasant, sustained attack on a vulnerable victim.

Marcel was deeply ashamed of himself and did not want any mitigation about the circumstances of the attack put forward, he said.

Mr Sinclair added: "He is aware he will be sent into prison for a considerable time in view of his appalling behaviour."