A PROMISING soldier just back from the Iraq war has avoided jail following a violent street attack on a 16-year-old.

Dale Freeman, 20, could have been jailed for the drunken assault but was allowed his freedom to go back to the First Battalion, Queens Lancashire Regiment.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Freeman, who has been facing gunfire and bombings from forces loyal to Saddam Hussein, had behaved in an exemplary fashion in the Army.

Captain Connor McRory told the court: "He kept a cool head while under fire and his behaviour was thoroughly professional and disciplined."

Freeman was given 72 hours community punishment and ordered to pay £750 in costs and compensation.

Sentencing, Recorder John Gibson said the offence was serious enough to warrant custody. He told the court that, although the victim had to go to hospital, his injuries were not severe and the defendant was described as having the potential for a full and promising career in the Army.

But the judge told Freeman: "The discipline you normally show in the Army is not evident when you have too much to drink. You would be well advised to moderate your drinking."

The defendant, of Barlow Street, Stacksteads, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

Cpt McRory told the court he had been on operations in Iraq with Freeman and knew him very well. The officer said the defendant had expressed himself as somebody who was trustworthy, very reliable and keen.

Cpt McRory explained that after the war Freeman was among soldiers rebuilding the infrastructure and enforcing the peace in Basra. He said they had encountered resistance from forces loyal to Saddam Hussein who had fired at them and planted bombs.

He added as soon as the defendant was sentenced he was free to carry on military training. He would not face further punishment in the forces and a community punishment order would not affects his prospects.