A 22-year-old Kempston man who stamped on the face of a teenage martial arts expert has been jailed.
Jason Blair, of Spruce Walk, pleaded guilty at Luton Crown Court on Monday to causing Jonathan Cooper grievous bodily harm with intent.
He had been due to stand trial but changed his plea to guilty before a jury was sworn in.
His victim, who was 19, at the time was treated in intensive care for his injuries which included a fractured eye socket.
Alasdair Smith, prosecuting, said a doctor had identified four distinct impressions from Blair's trainer on his face.
Jailing him for five-and-a-half years, Judge Daniel Rodwell QC said: "This was an extraordinarily serious, life-threatening attack which has had a profound effect on the victim.
"You stamped on his head quite deliberately four times. It sickened the onlookers and the injuries were horrible."
The court heard the attack took place in the Addison Howard Park in Kempston on 20 June last year.
Mr Cooper, a black belt in a form of Korean karate, was with friends and had been practising his martial arts skills.
When one of Blair's friends called him over, Blair made an insulting remark and Mr Cooper left the park.
He returned armed with a martial arts weapon.
Self-defence
"It is not precisely clear what happened then but at some point Mr Cooper was punched by one man and was flat on the ground, and then Blair stamped on him at least four times."
When he was arrested he admitted stamping on him but said he had not used much weight and thought it was only twice.
Colin Banham, for Blair, said his client had been unarmed but Mr Cooper had deliberately armed himself before coming back to the park.
He had also been aware of his martial arts skill and had been initially acting in self-defence.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/beds/bucks/herts/3391115.stm
