A SOLDIER who beat up a pub landlady has been given a three month jail term.

Michael Clough, 24, who now faces dishonourable discharge from the Army after an eight year career, could remember nothing of the attack on Michelle Cawtherly or smashing her windows afterwards and claimed his drink had been spiked.

The day after he immediately wrote his victim a letter of apology and sent her flowers, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Judge Lesley Newton told the defendant she had "really struggled," to see whether she could avoid sending him to prison, but licensees deserved the protection of the courts.

The judge said Clough had been described as a competent and capable soldier and his behaviour appeared completely out of character.

She accepted his dishonourable discharge would have long term consequences for his future.

Clough, of Linby Street, Burnley, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and criminal damage, last December 23.

Roger Green, prosecuting, said Mrs Cawtherly was landlady of the Lane Ends pub, Kiddrow Lane, Burnley, and she asked the defendant to leave as he seemed the worse for wear.

He pulled Mrs Cawtherly outside as they walked towards a fire exit and once outside, he kicked and punched her.

Another customer managed to pull Clough away and the defendant tried to hit him as well. Clough then turned on the landlady again, others came to her aid and she eventually was able to get to her feet and was taken to hospital.

Mr Green said Clough then started punching in four of the pub windows and was found by police outside a chip shop with his hands cut and bleeding. He was abusive, was taken to hospital and was equally offensive to medical staff.

Mrs Cawtherly suffered a dislocated finger which had to be reduced under local anaesthetic and a contusion on her cheek with some minor nerve damage.

Richard Taylor, defending, said somebody had encouraged Clough's inebriation. He had lost his temper in the pub because of the way his girlfriend was being treated and wanted to find out who spiked his drink.

The defendant accepted he must have caused Mrs Cawtherley's injuries and if she said Clough attacked her it must have happened, although he could not remember it.