The teenager attacked by former BBC newsreader Ashley Blake says he deserves to go to jail.

Greg Jones was left scarred for life after the former Midlands Today reporter attacked him with a 3ft patio umbrella after an 18th birthday party outside his bar in Sutton Coldfield. The 18-year-old, from Streetly, was told he may need plastic surgery and still suffers with jaw problems more than six months after the incident at The Place 2B.

He said: “He tried to make out that we were a drunken bunch of youths in the wrong but the way he behaved was terrible – totally out of order. I was in total shock when the attack happened. There was blood everywhere.

‘‘When doctors told me I might need plastic surgery, I was really gutted. They told me I was very lucky because they could see a main artery pumping.

“Who knows what would have happened if he had hit me in the head or in the mouth, he could have smashed my jaw.

Greg had to take time out from sixth form to recover from his injuries. He was unable to eat or drink for days after the attack and still has problems now.

He said: “It has almost definitely caused lasting problems.

‘‘I wake up with a locked jaw and sometimes it still hurts to eat certain things. And I have a permanent scar which I have to live with for the rest of my life.

“I am a young lad with a scar across my face. It doesn’t look good and I don’t like the reputation that brings.”

Former BBC presenter Blake has apologised for the attack.

Blake, 40, of Sutton Coldfield, was convicted earlier this month of unlawfully wounding Greg Jones and has been dismissed “with immediate effect” by the BBC following an internal inquiry into the incident.

As well as unlawful wounding, Blake was convicted of attempting to pervert the course of justice by attempting to conceal the pole from police.

He will return to Birmingham Crown Court next month for sentencing, and has already been warned by Judge Peter Carr that he faces an “almost inevitable” jail sentence.

Speaking about his dismissal from the BBC, Blake said: “It is with great sadness that my career with the corporation has ended in this way. I have been proud and privileged to have worked for the BBC.

“I have enjoyed almost a decade of wonderful opportunities it has brought me.”