AN ex-soldier's good army record saved him from jail after he beat up a teenager outside a Kidderminster kebab shop and then attacked a policeman.

Recorder Thomas Dillon QC said he was taking "an exceptionally lenient" course because Lee Rawlins had never been in trouble before and had an excellent reference from his former commanding officer.

Rawlins, 28, of Oulton Close, Kidderminster, pleaded guilty at Worcester Crown Court to assault causing actual bodily harm and assaulting a policeman.

He was ordered to carry out 200 hours community work and to pay £350 compensation to Simon Fairbanks and £250 to PC Richard Drewett.

Violence broke out on January 12 after Mr Fairbanks, 18, and friends had left a nightclub, said Peter Tooke, prosecuting.

There was an exchange of abuse and Rawlins punched Mr Fairbanks on the side of the head and then kicked him when he was on the floor. When PC Drewett intervened, Rawlins knocked him to the ground.

Defence counsel Andrew Fisher said Rawlins was on the reserve until 2003 and liable to be called up at any time. He had also been offered the chance to join the Australian army.

Although he had lost his temper, no significant injuries had been caused.