Police are called in over false claims that jail would destroy boxer's Beijing dream

So his coach pleaded with a judge to spare him from jail because his place in Britain's Olympics team would be in jeopardy.

The judge took pity on the young featherweight and let him off a prison sentence "by the skin of his teeth".

Last night, however, Mouneimne was back on the ropes after the story was exposed as a lie.

Officials from the Amateur Boxing Association contacted Humberside Police after the case to allege that the judge had been misled about Mouneimne's Olympic prospects.

They said he had "no chance" of going to Beijing because he had not competed in the necessary qualifying events and was not part of the Great Britain squad preparing to compete in the Games this summer.

The police investigation is focusing on comments made at Hull Crown Court in January by Mouneimne's trainer and mentor, Michael Bromby, an advanced coach in the ABA.

Mouneimne, 20, was expected to be jailed for up to two years for fracturing a barman's jaw and kicking another man ten times in two incidents last June. He was found guilty of assault.

In court, however, his coach, who is alleged to have incorrectly described himself as Great Britain development coach and national coach, spoke movingly on his behalf.

Bromby said that if the boxer, from Spring Grove, West Hull, was spared jail he might make it to the Games in China.

"If he goes to prison his Great Britain career and the Olympics is over," he said.

"He has been training with vigour, he has put everything into it. He is as good as any of the champions I have trained. Just before these incidents he reached the national finals and boxed for England against Sweden."

The judge gave him a suspended 12-month jail sentence and ordered him to pay £750 compensation to a victim and to do 250 hours' community service.

Recorder Julian Goose QC said: "It was violent disorder of a very serious kind. This is a case where a custodial sentence is absolutely justified.

"I have thought long and hard whether to suspend it or not, but I take into account your age and that you have not in the past been involved in anything like this.

"It is possible, but only just by the skin of your teeth, for me to hold back from custody."

Following the complaint, detectives at Humberside Police have interviewed several ABA officials.

Last night, Barry Jones, in charge of discipline at the ABA, said: 'I can confirm that the ABA is liaising closely with officers from Humberside Police.

"This is in relation to the trial of Samir Mouneimne, who as a result of his conviction, has been suspended for five years from all activities in amateur boxing."

Sources close to the case said at least one arrest was likely in the near future. A spokesman for Humberside Police said: "I can confirm we are investigating an allegation of perjury."