A SOLDIER has been ordered to pay compensation to a man who he assaulted outside a town centre nightclub.

A SOLDIER has been ordered to pay compensation to a man who he assaulted outside a town centre nightclub.

Ashley Tunley, 22, who is a sapper in the 23 Engineer Regiment (Air Assault) based at Rock Barracks in Sutton, near Woodbridge, pleaded guilty to the assault at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court in Ipswich yesterday.

The court heard that the victim was leaving Ipswich's Liquid nightclub with his sister at 2.30am on July 17.

After tripping down some stairs, the victim's sister became involved in a conversation with Tunley.

But minutes later, the victim interrupted their conversation following a “funny look” from his sister, which he took to be a cry for help.

In doing this, Tunley, who will be posted out to Afghanistan next year, pushed him with force into his chest and he fell against a wall.

Tunley then went on to punch the victim several times which left him with a sore head and scratch marks on his right arm.

Graham Skipper, defending Tunley, said his client will be punished not only by the court but by the military. “He has been trained to fight the Taliban,” he said. “Their state of mind is not the same as an ordinary person in the street.”

Lieutenant John Lodge also spoke for Tunley and said he was a “model guy” who now faces losing a number of his weekends as punishment. He added: “We do not let these things pass easily.”

Magistrates' ordered Tunley to pay �100 in compensation to the victim and was fined �85.

Chairman of the bench Peter Page said: “We regard this as a one off. You are going to be inconvenienced by disciplinary procedures by your regiment which you richly deserve and as far as the court is concerned we feel that this is a just way to deal with you.”