BBC star's tears over jail threat; Presenter in shock at judge's warning: Star 'facing up to Christmas in jail'.

Byline: Christina Savvas

DISGRACED TV presenter Ashley Blake has revealed he is now terrified of going to jail.

The 40-year old BBC Midlands Today newsreader confessed he broke down in tears after a judge told him it was the 'most likely' outcome after he was found guilty of battering a teenager with a wooden pole.

"I can't imagine myself in jail. I am terrified. I don't know how I will cope with prison life and all because I tried to defend myself," he told the Birmingham Mail in his first interview since the conviction.

"I have been going over and over it in my mind for the last six months. I have thought of nothing else."

A jury found Blake guilty of unlawfully wounding 17-yearold Greg Jones by hitting him in the face with a 3ft patio umbrella pole, leaving him scarred for life. He was also found guilty of attempting to pervert the course of justice by throwing the pole away.

He was acquitted of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The former Watch-dopresenter, who had a string of previous convictions, said he was still in a 'state of shock' after he was found guilty of the attack which happened after violence broke out at the end of an 18th birthday bash at his former bar and restaurant The Place 2B in Chester Road, Sutton Coldfield. Speaking about his conviction he said: "I am absolutely flabbergasted.

"It is unbelievable, the whole situation. I have rewound back to the night itself and thought how did such a wonderful occasion of the birthday party of one of my popular employees turn so nasty.

"I showed the court some of the implements thrown at me and my staff as missiles. If they had hit me or my staff they could have killed someone. It was a life-threatening situation but I think the jury lost all trust in me." Blake is due to face an internal disciplinary hearing at the BBC next week: "It's properly beginning to sink in and it's inevitable that I will lose my job, everything I have worked so hard for."

Blake and his partner of six years Jessica Hayes, bought the venue five years ago. Blake said they were in the process of selling up when the incident happened and were planning a new start with marriage and children on the cards. He said: "Jess is my absolute rock. We have had our ups and downs but we stuck together.We had so many plans.We were going to go on holiday and as silly as it sounds we were really looking forward to Christmas.

Now I am faced with spending Christmas in prison." Blakeworkedas theBBC's regional art and entertainment correspondent and presented consumer programme Watchdog before moving back to Birmingham. He featured regularly on Midlands Today and current affairs show Inside Out. Blake said he worked hard to get away fromhis criminal past including two counts of theft in 1986 and three more in 1987.

In 1988 he was convicted of handling stolen goods and altering documents following a road traffic accident and in 1990 driving while disqualified. Blake was also convicted of theft in 1993. He said: "I grew up in Lozells, in a single parent, mixed race family and I faced the difficulties that inner city life brings. It was as a result of getting mixed up with the wrong people. "What I did during my past was silly juvenile behaviour.

For example I was mad on cars and I found myself driving one which unbeknownst to me at the time was stolen." Speaking after the case, victim Greg Jones' father Steven said: "I am pleased he got what he deserves. He lied to police on several occasions. The judge has done his job and we hope the sentence reflects the crime because my son is walking around with a scar for the rest of his life.

"Depending on the sentence he will have time to reflect." The BBC last night confirmed Blake had been suspended pending an internal disciplinary meeting. Blake said he would be meeting with lawyers to discuss whether he would appeal against his conviction. He is due to return to Birmingham Crown Court on September 2 for sentencing.

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Terrified: Newsreader Ashley Blake was found guilty of attacking a teenager at a party at his pub.