A WOODBRIDGE man is today facing hours of community service after throwing a brick at an army cadet.Ashley Sergeant was already forced to limp along on crutches and needed further treatment after the attack.

A WOODBRIDGE man is today facing hours of community service after throwing a brick at an army cadet.

Ashley Sergeant was already forced to limp along on crutches and needed further treatment after the attack.

He was knocked off his feet when the brick launched by Robert Bradlaugh splintered around his ankles.

South East Suffolk Magistrates Court heard Mr Sargeant's ligament damage was worsened by the fall.

Bradlaugh admitted assaulting Mr Sargeant and fellow Woodbridge cadet Mark Haddock.

The pair were escorting a group of youngsters back to cadet premises when Bradlaugh, of Cobbold Road, Woodbridge, began his onslaught.

The court heard the group were approaching a zebra crossing near the Riverside Restaurant when Bradlaugh began walking towards them "with a sense of urgency."

Prosecutor Gareth Davies said he threw a house brick at the group, narrowly missing one of them. The troupe leaders told the youngsters to return quickly to the cadet hut.

Mr Davies told magistrates: "The two victims tried to speak to Bradlaugh and calm him down and establish what it was all about. They said they couldn't calm him down."

Bradlaugh, 48, then grabbed hold of Mr Haddock and threatened him.

In interview, he said two of the cadets in the group made vulgar gestures at him and made a remark about him being bald.

But witnesses refuted the accusation and insisted and the attack was entirely unprovoked.

Mr Davies said: "Even if there were offending remarks directed at Mr Bradlaugh his behaviour certainly can't amount to self defence and it certainly can't justify the behaviour that resulted, particularly the victim on crutches who couldn't run away."

Neil Saunders, mitigating, said Bradlaugh had offending remarks made to him and had gestures made at him.

He said: "Unfortunately he had a bit to drink that day. He drank four to five pints of Stella and was waiting for a taxi."

He was given an 80 hour community punishment order which he has to complete in 12 months and was ordered to pay £100 to Ashley Sargeant.

Bradlaugh was also ordered to pay £55 prosecution costs.