KEY POINTS:
New Zealand backpacker Levi Virbickas has been jailed for four years in Scotland, after a street attack that ruined a British soldier's military career.
Virbickas, 21, from Whangamata, punched Royal Irish Regiment ranger Paul Bacon in the face 15 to 20 times and jumped on his head in the attack, the BBC reported.
The incident happened at Falcon Square in Inverness, Scotland, last November after Mr Bacon had returned from Afghanistan. It was captured on CCTV.
At the High Court in Edinburgh on Friday, Judge Lady Dorrian said the assault had "appalling consequences".
Virbickas would have faced a six-year sentence had it not been for his guilty plea, she said.
Mr Bacon, set to be medically discharged from the army, had planned to remain in the forces before pursuing a career in the police or as a paramedic.
He told police he now had no future to look forward to and would be dependent on an army pension.
He was punched in the face as he lay on the ground before the Virbickas took a run and jumped on his head, the court was told.
Virbickas checked on his condition before stamping his face up to 10 times, then kicking him while he was unconscious.
He admitted assaulting Mr Bacon to his severe injury, permanent impairment and to the danger of his life.
Mr Bacon was in hospital for nearly seven weeks.
The defence solicitor said Virbickas, a first offender, had no recollection of the incident.
He told police he had shared a bottle of whisky with three others a backpackers' hostel before going to a nightclub, where he drank cocktails and beer.
- NZPA
