A Hereford soldier who attacked a student outside a night club has been ordered to pay the victim £1,500 compensation.

David Lopez was seen by a taxi driver delivering three kicks to Andrew Clarke's head, said William Rickarby, prosecuting.

He then boasted about his behaviour and said: "I have done him proper this time." When the cabbie asked him to stop the violence he laughed, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Lopez, aged 22, of Hinton Crescent, Hereford, pleaded guilty to assaulting the 18-year-old and causing him actual bodily harm.

Recorder Martin Cardinal said custody would be too strong a punishment because it would mean Lopez losing his career although the offence crossed the custody threshold.

Street brawl

He said it was a street brawl caused by Lopez's excessive drinking and he had let his family down.

He gave Lopez a two-year conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £452 court costs besides the compensation.

Mr Clarke and his brother had left Time club in Hereford after trouble broke out on May 15, said Mr Rickarby. The victim saw his brother being pushed by Lopez outside and got in between them. But Lopez turned on him and he was knocked down.

He woke up on the pavement to find Lopez kicking him in the face. Lopez also jumped on his back and booted him in the stomach. Mr Clarke suffered two chipped teeth and bruising to his eyes, nose and back.

Dele Alakija, defending, said Lopez had been through a traumatic time while serving in Afghanistan. His army unit was now in Iraq.

The defendant claimed the victim took a swing at one of his friends before he became involved.

Mr Alakija said Lopez was "well oiled" on drink after he was taken out to cheer him up. Getting drunk was not a regular occurrence.

He was separated from his partner but supported their two children and had an exemplary army record.