A SOLDIER who attacked a nightclub bouncer escaped being jailed "by the skin of his teeth", a judge warned.

William Clarke lashed out at Mark Southan inside Redwoods in Kidderminster when he tried to break up a fight.

Clarke, who had served in Afghanistan, Northern Ireland and North Africa, was accused of using a glass by other staff but insisted his head butt cut the victim's head, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Judge Michael Mott told Clarke: "People who hit someone over the head invariably go to custody but you put yourself in the line of fire and that should count for something in a situation like this.

"You have escaped custody by the skin of your teeth. Consider yourself very fortunate."

Clarke, 23, of Charles Road, Moston, Chester, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding.

He was ordered to carry out 240 hours of unpaid community work, pay the victim £500 compensation and pay £248 court costs.

The defendant was absent without leave from his regiment when he returned to Kidderminster on October 31 last year to sell a property in the area.

He was seen fighting with a woman inside the Dixon Street club before Mr Southan stepped in to break it up.

Clarke struck him over the head with "something sharp" which cut him, said David Swinnerton, prosecuting. The victim did not see what it was.

Mr Southan needed stitches in cuts to his head and forehead.

Clarke refused to comment in two police interviews but was unable to recall his actions because he was drunk, said Michael Aspinall, defending.

He had served a term of detention imposed by the Army for being absent without leave.

Mr Aspinall said the father-of-three had no previous convictions. He had devoted his life to the army since a teenager.

He added: "He is extremely upset about what happened. This was very much a wake-up call, putting his home and career on the line."