A SOLDIER who assaulted a police officer and smashed a nightclub door has been fined.

Anthony Bond

A SOLDIER who assaulted a police officer and smashed a nightclub door has been fined.

Martin Rushton, 21, of 23 Engineer Regiment (Air Assault) based at Rock Barracks in Woodbridge, was at Pals in Ipswich on Monday November 30.

A police officer was on duty at about 10.50pm when he heard shouting coming from the premises in the Old Cattle Market.

As he approached the club, he saw two men squaring up to each other and eventually Rushton, who works in vehicle maintenance, put his hands up and said he was leaving.

But as he walked towards the main doors of the club, he pushed the door with such force that the glass shattered and smashed.

The police officer then arrested Rushton. But when he was placed in handcuffs, he became violent and started kicking the police officer in his knees and shins.

At South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court in Ipswich today Rushton pleaded guilty to criminal damage to property valued under �5,000 and assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty.

He was ordered to pay �575 in costs and fines, �50 of which was in compensation to the police officer. The court heard that he had already given Pals �180 for the cost of fixing the door.

David Stewart, representing Rushton, said: “He is completely ashamed of himself and has let himself down and also his regiment.”