Soldier is spared prison after he kicked man in face on night out

AN ARMY Commando from Nottingham who kicked a clubber in a savage attack has been spared jail so he can carry on serving his country.

Gunner Karl Sugg was on a night out with comrades after training when they set upon victim Gary McAllen and left him with a fractured jaw and with seven teeth knocked out.

He tried to flee the mob of four or five men by climbing through a hedge, but was grabbed and kicked so hard that an imprint of Sugg's shoe was left on his face.

Sugg, 24, of Stanhope Crescent, Arnold, and Daniel, Sutton, 22, from Scarborough, who serve with 29 Commando of the Royal Artillery at Plymouth, had been drinking in Okehampton when the attack happened.

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Both men were told they had escaped prison by a whisker after senior officers pleaded for them to receive suspended sentences which would enable them to continue their military careers.

Sugg and Sutton admitted causing grievous bodily harm in January last year.

At Exeter Crown Court yesterday they were both jailed for 18 months – suspended for two years – ordered to do 200 hours unpaid community work and ordered to pay £3,500 compensation and £700 costs each.

Judge Erik Salomonsen told them: "The two of you, with others, cornered the victim in an alleyway where he was punched to the ground and kicked to the head.

"Nothing he had done deserved the treatment you meted out to him.

"I have seen letters from your superior officers which speak highly of your abilities and future prospects if you remain in the services.

"It is quite clear that if I send you to prison you will lose your careers and the nation will lose your service.

"If you do not, you will face action for bringing your regiment into disrepute. There is no doubt at all your conduct is disgraceful and that you have brought a fine regiment into disrepute."

Tom Bradnock, for Sugg, and Gareth Evans, for Sutton, said they both had promising careers with their regiment and play vital roles in their units, which are shortly to go on standby for active service.