IT was three weeks before doctors would let Malcolm McColl look in the mirror after a violent drug user squirted corrosive chemicals into his eyes.

From that very first glance of his scarred and disfigured face and with his vision badly damaged, the 30-year-old knew his life would never by the same again.

‘It was shocking when I first saw my face to be honest,’ he said. ‘I just thought I looked like a monster. I was looking in the mirror and I felt sick. It just didn’t look like me.’

On 19 August, Mr McColl was attacked by Lee Knowles (35) and Jolyon Picot (28) as he enjoyed a barbecue with friends in Parade Park.

As well as suffering severe facial burns, Mr McColl, who is originally from Dunbartonshire, has suffered from depression and post-traumatic stress since the attack.

Knowles, who has a history of very violent assaults, and Picot were this week sentenced by the Royal Court for their parts in the attack.

Knowles was jailed for six-and-a-half years, and Picot was sentenced to 48 months behind bars.