A medal winning war hero has escaped jail after a Judge praised his exemplary military record.
Shannon Chart admitted taking part in a violent drunken attack on a man outside a nightspot on Gandy Street in Exeter, Devon, when he punched and kicked his victim unconscious on the ground.
But a judge said he had served with 2 Para regiment since 2000 in a ten year career which had seen active service all around the world.
Chart, aged 30, of North Street, Heavitree, Exeter, admitted causing actual bodily harm and was jailed for 12 months, suspended for two years and ordered to pay £1,000 compensation and do 200 hours unpaid community work.
Judge Phillip Wassall told Exeter Crown Court that Chart had won medals for his service in Afghanistan, Iraq and Northern Ireland and also served in Kenya and other places around the globe.
The judge read testimonials from his former commanding officers which said Chart's departure from the 'long and distinguished regiment' was a 'tremendous loss'.
He added that it had rarely read such a 'glowing' report on a man who had served his country for a decade.
But he said the assault had brought 'disgrace to his ex regiment and to those men who had served in it'.
Prosecutor David Bowen said Chart had got involved in the attack with a friend who was still on the run.
The victim was seen on CCTV being felled to the ground and suffered facial injuries including a broken tooth and was knocked out.
Nick Bradley, defending, said Chart had been working in the lucrative overseas security business until this attack.
The judge said it was a violent and drunken attack which merited a 12 month jail term but he was able to suspend the term.
