An ex soldier has been jailed for a homophobic attack after his brave victim confronted him in court to reveal the harrowing impact of his assault.
Iraq veteran David Tomkinson was caught on CCTV repeatedly punching and kicking his helpless victim as he was curled up on the ground trying to protect himself.
Tomkinson had agreed to go to a gay bar with the man and danced with him but turned on him after they left the venue in the centre of Exeter.
He punched and kicked him to the ground and then dragged him along the cobbled surface of Gandy Street, ripping his clothes and leaving him covered in bruises.
The soldier, who was due to leave the army just three weeks later, broke the victim's rib before fleeing on foot and attacking police who arrested him in Cathedral Green.
He was so shocked by seeing what he had done on CCTV he told police he was an animal and described his own behaviour as despicable.
Tomkinson, aged 29, of Leypark Road, Exeter, admitted causing actual bodily harm and was jailed for a year by Judge Erik Salomonsen at Exeter Crown Court.
He was also ordered to pay £340 costs and £114 compensation to cover the damage to the victim's clothes and spectacles.
The Judge told him:"The court has had an opportunity of seeing the CCTV which shows graphically what occurred in that lane.
"His victim personal statement has also shown the impact upon him, which as perhaps a vulnerable individual has been very significant and goes beyond the physical injury.
"This was an offence against a vulnerable victim. It was a sustained and repeated assault in the street, in drink, which has had a long lasting effect on the victim."
The victim read out his victim impact statement in court with Tomkinson watching from the dock. He was exercising a right which was introduced last year to ensure that victims' views are taken into account by Judges.
His voice wavered as he said:"This assault terrified me and has knocked by confidence. I have gone into myself and it has knocked me for six. I can't believe anyone would do something like that.
"It has not just been the physical impact but also the mental impact. I hope I will not become a prisoner in my own home. I am in shock and was in extremely serious pain."
Miss Eleanor Purkis, prosecuting, said Tomkinson met the victim at the Mosaic pub in Exeter and went with him to the Vaults club, a gay venue where they drank and danced together.
She said:"The victim is gay but did not think the defendant was. After they left the club they kissed near the library and he says Tomkinson had his hands all over him.
"He thought his wallet was missing and asked for it back and this appeared to anger the defendant and grabbed him. He fell to the floor and was kicked repeatedly to the body and head.
"He was shouting for him to stop and to leave him alone and trying to protect himself by curling into a ball but the defendant continued to kick him.
"He described the defendant as angry and nasty and was frightened because he did not think he would stop. He was dragged along the cobbles of Gandy Street and assaulted again, despite pleading for him to leave him alone.
"A woman who had come to pick up her partner heard him howling and pleading and went to his aid. He said the defendant had assaulted him because he was gay."
Mr Peter Seigne, defending, said it was not a homophobic attack and Tomkinson was reacting to being accused of stealing the victim's wallet. He said he was ashamed of what he had done when police showed him the CCTV.
He said:"He told the officers it was despicable behaviour which he did not like looking at and that he was an animal."
Mr Seigne said Tomkinson served in The Rifles for ten years and served three tours of Iraq but was under strain at the time because he was about to leave the services and was worried about finding a job as a civilian.
