An ex-soldier who battered a policeman, leaving him with a shattered leg and scarred for life, has been jailed for more than four years.
Off-duty Met officer Gavin Pain was trying to break up a brawl in Blairgowrie when he was attacked.
Terry Comiskey beat him to the ground and stamped on his right leg before walking off, leaving him lying in a pool of blood.
Father-of-two Mr Pain, who was on a family holiday at the time, suffered horrific leg injuries.
A splintered bone broke through the skin of his leg in two places. He now has a permanent limp and his police career has been thrown into jeopardy.
Comiskey was jailed for four years and four months at Perth Sheriff Court.
Sheriff Lindsay Foulis told him: “The consequences will remain with Mr Pain in all probability for the rest of his life.
“As he lay defenceless, you stamped on his lower leg causing horrific injuries which might have made him lose his leg.”
Mr Pain, of Hertford, said: “The streets are safer with him behind bars. His violent behaviour is not tolerated.”
The 33-year-old added: “I feel tremendous pain daily. I’ve worked in the police in London for 12 years and have never been assaulted. I’m so shocked this could happen in a small place like Blairgowrie.”
Comiskey, 34, admitted assaulting Mr Pain in Union Street in October, by repeatedly punching him on his head and body, kicking him on the leg, knocking him to the ground and stamping on his leg to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and permanent impairment.
He also admitted engaging in a fight with another man, shouting and swearing, uttering threats of violence and committing a breach of the peace.
Mr Pain was in Perthshire visiting relatives with his wife Laureen, also a Met officer.
The court was told that the couple had tried to intervene in a street brawl.
Depute fiscal John Malpass said Mrs Pain had known Comiskey since childhood.
“Gavin Pain stood in front of the accused and attempted to calm him down,” Mr Malpass said.
“The accused thereafter repeatedly punched Mr Pain on the head and body and kicked him, causing him to fall to the ground.
“While on the ground, the accused stamped on his leg, causing injury.”
Mr Pain was left with metal pins from knee to ankle and a 13in by 4in permanent scar.
In 2007, Comiskey was jailed for 35 months for assaulting a man with a golf club.
He was also locked up by a military court for fighting in 2011.
