A former Royal Marine who claims to suffer from post traumatic stress syndrome launched a vicious attack on his girlfriend on a night out.
Hedley Casey, 40, a security manager, was caught on CCTV assaulting his partner Caroline Saich in Exeter's High Street at the weekend.
Drunken Casey kicked her in the chest, pulled her by the hair to the ground, and twice emptied the contents of her handbag over her head.
Police later found him lying on the ground. He became violent and tried to square up to them as he was arrested.
Miss Saich suffered grazing and bruising in the attack but said it was a "one off" and did not want to press charges against him.
Exeter magistrates heard Casey, of Waterside, Exeter, admit common assault by beating. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 60 hours of unpaid work and pay a total of £145 in costs.
Defence lawyer Jeremy Harris said the couple had both drunk too much after they went out to celebrate Casey landing a security management contract in Nigeria.
He said the former marine was 'visibly shocked' when he saw the CCTV images of the attack and said he could not recall the incident.
Mr Harris said: "He was a Marine for five years and has been doing close encounter security work in Iraq for seven years protecting US and GB Government employees and also spent some time in the Indian Ocean on maritime security protecting shipping from Somali pirates.
"He has seen an awful lot of unpleasant experiences which may have been a contributory factor for his bizarre behaviour early on Saturday morning."
He said Casey was 'very demoralised' about the attack on his girlfriend, whom he has known for 25 years, and said it may cost him his well paid job in Nigeria.
