A ROYAL Marine from Arnold knocked a man out with one punch after a football match.

Anthony Newton flew into a rage after Phillip Marson banged on the rear windscreen of his car as fans left the Championship match between Derby County and Coventry City.

Derby Crown Court heard yesterday how Newton attacked Mr Marson in front of his 12-year-old daughter outside Pride Park stadium on November 6 last year.

Newton – whose duties as a member of the marine commando logistics regiment involve dealing with battle casualties – could be sent to Sangin in Helmand Province in April.

The court heard the 24-year-old has an excellent record but a judge told him that if he behaved in the same way in Afghanistan "all hell could break loose."

Newton escaped a jail sentence but was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation to his victim.

Sarah Allen, prosecuting, told the court how Mr Marson saw Newton driving his car "impatiently" and slapped the back window to warn him to wait until the road was clear of pedestrians.

She said the next thing Mr Marson remembered was waking up with ambulance staff around him.

Mr Marson was taken to hospital where he was treated for a cut to the back of his head.

Miss Allen said he had headaches and dizziness for several weeks.

Keith Raynor, defending, said Newton was highly regarded by the marines and had been praised by the commanding officer of the Special Boat Service.

He added: "He apologises absolutely for this incident.

"He accepts this was disgraceful conduct."

Recorder Sally Hancox told Newton: "If someone throws a stone at you in Sangin or someone shouts abuse in the street and you react in that way, all hell could break loose.

"I hope you are thoroughly disappointed and ashamed to the guts for what you have done.

Newton, of Patricia Drive, Arnold, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm and was given a one year community order.

He was ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid work and pay prosecution costs of £625.