SWINDON boxer Jamie Cox has been ‘let down’ by the justice system according to trainer John Costello as they plan to appeal his jail sentence for assaulting his ex-girlfriend.

The 29-year-old was given a 26 week prison sentence this afternoon at Croydon Magistrates Court for the assault and harassment charges as well as 20 weeks for violence to secure entry and 12 weeks for criminal damage, to run concurrently.

The conviction last month meant that Cox’s boxing licence was immediately suspended leaving a potential world title shot in tatters, while his promotional deal with Frank Warren and Queensberry Promotions was also suspended due to enforced inactivity.

Speaking outside court, his long-term trainer, Costello, said Cox’s legal team would appeal the decision.

"Jamie will be in the crown court in two weeks' time and we are confident he will clear his name,” he said.

"Jamie did not physically assault anybody. There was no evidence of an assault.

"This is a breakdown of a relationship between two people - they have been seeing each other for 12 months and when there is a breakdown of a relationship things get said. There was no harassment.

"Jamie respects the justice system, and so do I, but the justice system has let Jamie Cox down today in a massive way.

"Everything he's worked towards has just been thrown in the bin, thrown down the drain.”

Cox, who is ranked fourth in the world by the WBO after claiming their European super-middleweight title last year, was due to fight in a world title final eliminator this year.

The 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medallist’s boxing licence will be suspended for the duration of his prison term and Cox will have to appear before the British Boxing Board of Control upon his release under regulation 25 for Misconduct.

The board will decide if any further action is necessary and they could withdraw of his licence.

British Boxing Board of Control general secretary Robert Smith told the Advertiser: “This is very disappointing news. British boxing is going through a high at the moment and we do not like it when this happens.

“Jamie was suspended as soon as he was convicted and he can only reapply to have his licence back once he is released from prison.”