A SOLDIER was handcuffed and had his legs strapped together after he threatened to elbow a police officer in the head.It had been Martin McKenzie's first night out with friends after returning from a six-month posting in Afghanistan when he was arrested by police in Ipswich.

A SOLDIER was handcuffed and had his legs strapped together after he threatened to elbow a police officer in the head.

It had been Martin McKenzie's first night out with friends after returning from a six-month posting in Afghanistan when he was arrested by police in Ipswich.

The 26-year-old had been out with friends at Pals nightclub, in Buttermarket, on January 13, when he and another soldier were thrown out of the venue.

Gareth Davies, prosecuting, said: “It was at 1am when police officers were on patrol outside Pals and became aware of two men who had been ejected from the club by staff.

“The officers went to assist and one of them was making abusive comments.”

When the man was arrested McKenzie, of The Rock Barracks, in Woodbridge, got into an altercation with police.

Mr Davies added: “Following the arrest of his friend he got involved. He said 'You are not going to arrest him' and 'Don't touch me' and he used four-letter words throughout.”

The officer tried to get handcuffs on him and that is when McKenzie remarked that he could elbow him in the head.

At that point he was restrained with straps on his legs and handcuff on his wrists.

McKenzie pleaded guilty to charges of resisting a police officer and disorderly behaviour.

Tanya Thomas, mitigating, said: “This was his first time out since coming back from Afghanistan.

“He said he had drunk some alcohol but was not drunk. He became aware his colleague was being asked to leave and he decided to intervene because he has been told if a junior soldier is getting into trouble that is what he should do.”

McKenzie was fined £400 and made to pay £55 court costs.