Melvyn David Bamber jailed for 'chilling' attack on soldier 2 July 2013 Last updated at 14:58 A man who beat his friend, a soldier, so badly that he had to be medically discharged from the Army has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years. Melvyn David Bamber, from Clonavon Terrace, Ballymena, was originally charged with attempting to murder Alexander Dowie during the attack. However, Bamber pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of causing him grievous bodily harm at a petrol station on North Road, Ballymena in December 2011. The judge called it a chilling attack. He told the 24-year-old that it was just "heartbreaking to see how much damage has been caused this young man by what you did." The Antrim Crown Court judge said he agreed with the prosecution's description of the attack being both "ferocious and brutal," and that in a "remarkable co-incidence," Bamber, had previously attacked another man in the very same Ballymena petrol station. Distinguished career Bamber, he said, had persisted in his attack at a time when Mr Dowie was totally incapable of defending himself and totally vulnerable. The court heard that since the attack Mr Dowie's life has dramatically changed and he was left suffering with severe post-traumatic stress disorder. A particular tragedy for him, the judge said, was the loss of his pension rights and distinguished career with the Royal Irish Regiment (RIR). He added that Bamber had not only caused very serious damage to Mr Dowie, but also to his other past victims. Bamber was warned that it would be up to the Parole Commissioners to decide when, and if, it would be safe to release him, once he had served at least last half of his sentence. But the judge added that because Bamber posed a future risk and danger to the public, "there is no automatic remission in a sentence of this type." He ordered that even if Bamber failed to convince the Parole Commissioners to release him, and ends up serving the full seven-and-a-half years, he will still have to serve an additional three years of licensed, supervised parole. Knocked unconscious The court had previously heard that Bamber, who had been out on police bail, had felled his former friend with just one punch when they had met "by chance" at the Maxol garage after they had both been out separately for a night's drinking. A prosecution lawyer said that the petrol station cashier initially saw the pair "sparring between one another," before Mr Dowie was knocked unconscious. As he lay prone and unable to defend himself Bamber launched a ferocious and brutal attack on him. A number of witnesses observed Bamber kick the injured party twice in the head and then stamp on his head twice. He leant down, picked up his head and punched him again. The court heard Mr Dowie remained in a coma for several weeks having suffered "severe brain injuries" as well as a fractured skull, fracture to the nose and cheekbone. As a result of injuries sustained in the attack, Mr Dowie missed the birth of his first child and has been medically discharged from a promising Army career. The prosecution said that before the incident Mr Dowie had served in Afghanistan and was looking forward to continuing his Army career. As the assault took place outside his military deployment, Mr Dowie has also lost his pension rights as a soldier. Apology The lawyer added while it was suspected jealousy may have been a motivation, "what provoked the offence is unknown but the consequences for the victim have been catastrophic." A defence lawyer said that while his client "unreservedly apologises to the injured party and to his family," he also wished to meet with Mr Dowie to "personally express his apology" and talk to him, although "quite understandably" it might not happen. He added that a remorseful Bamber recognised that his attack was "absolutely disgraceful." This is a highly unusual situation and the irony at the heart of this case was the accused and injured party were on fairly good terms. There was no animosity and no antipathy for the injured party. No-one knows what sparked or caused this. "It is still a matter of absolute bewilderment to the accused and to Mr Dowie as to what happened," the defence lawyer had told the earlier court hearing.