A woman beater jailed for hurling a vase at his fiancée's head turned to her in court and said: "I'll see you around b****."
Keith Page made the sinister comment just seconds after he was handed a lifetime restraining order and locked up for 14 months.
Minutes earlier the 62-year-old had claimed to be remorseful for leaving his victim with a permanent 5cm scar on her forehead.
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The woman - who had told the court she now lives in fear of Page - was left visibly distressed as her abuser was sent down.
Recorder Ian Unsworth, QC, later called the case back on at Liverpool Crown Court, to discuss what action if any should be taken against Page for the remark.
The judge said it could be treated as a contempt of court or investigated as a potential breach of the restraining order, which carries a maximum sentence of up to five years in jail.
The victim - who the ECHO has chosen not to name - was accompanied by her daughter and partner, who said they would make a complaint of a potential breach of the order.
Former soldier Page, of All Hallows Drive, Speke, threw the vase at his bride-to-be's head after flying into a rage when England lost the Euro 2020 final to Italy on penalties.
The couple were set to marry at the end of that month, but just weeks before the big day, he started texting his victim saying he didn't want to go through with the service.
The 66-year-old victim, who had been with Page for eight years, was left with bits of ceramic embedded in her forehead after the assault, late on Sunday, July 11 this year.
She said Page, who served in the Army and had post-traumatic stress disorder, could be violent and abusive, especially when drinking.
The victim felt blood dripping down her face and ran out of the house half-dressed and "crying and shaking with fear" to a neighbour's home.
Police discovered a note left by Page, in which he said: "Life is over, can't stop here. I hurt you by tossing a cup at you. I've decided to walk.
"See you on the dark side of the moon. Good luck in life."
Page gave a no comment interview, but later admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.
He went on to suggest it was a "reckless ricochet" and he had only intended to throw a cushion, but later abandoned this claim.
Simon Duncan, prosecuting, said in a victim statement the woman said "she was so scared and frightened she knew she had to get away and she ran for her life", but partly fell down the stairs.
He said: "She was only partly dressed with no bottoms on and she had to run to her young neighbour's and she felt so ashamed of her appearance to that neighbour and bringing the situation to their door.
"She said she no longer felt comfortable in her own home and couldn't even have her windows open, even in the hot weather. She said she is scared he's going to turn up at some point.
"She noted that when he was arrested he had taken her phone and by the time it had been taken from him and returned to her, all her messages had been deleted."
Mr Duncan said the woman explained that Page knew she had been a victim of "very serious" domestic abuse, which made her vulnerable, and she has since been put on medication and had counselling.
The court heard Page's criminal record included a battery in February 2012 against a former wife, who when drunk he had "punched and headbutted".
Recorder Unsworth previously agreed to adjourn the case so more information could be provided about an NHS course Page could undergo to tackle his mental health difficulties.
Paul Becker, defending, said Page understood he had to be punished for a very serious offence.
The barrister said: "He is remorseful and says he has 'completely and utterly messed up'."
He said Page was no longer in contact with his family, who appeared to have disowned him, which he found very difficult.
Mr Becker said Page performed active service between 1974 and 1996, including four tours of duty in Northern Ireland and one in the Falklands.
He said his client recognised he needed help, had a good work record and presented a low risk of re-offending.
Recorder Unsworth told Page he had served his country with distinction but subjected his fiancée to a "terrifying ordeal" and used a vase as a weapon.
He said: "She had to flee from the house dripping in blood and partly clothed and she deserved far more respect than that."
The judge said the case was aggravated by Page's consumption of alcohol and a previous conviction for domestic violence.
He accepted Page had mental health issues, but said the case was "far too serious" for a suspended prison sentence.
If you have been affected by any issues mentioned in this article, you can contact the Domestic Violence Helpline for free on 0808 2000 247 or any of the following organisations:
People can also call Merseyside Police on 101 or, if they are in immediate danger, call 999.
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