A former soldier has narrowly escaped prison for his part in a “horrendous” attack on another man in Sutton.

David Kerr, 21, punched Thomas Middlemiss four or five times as he walked along a dimly-lit shortcut, Skipton magistrates heard.

Mr Middlemiss was knocked out in the attack and spent four hours at Airedale Hospital where he was treated for internal lacerations to his lip and numerous cuts.

Kerr, of Harewood Avenue, Eastburn, who admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm, was given a four-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months. He was ordered to carry out 200 hours’ unpaid work and will also be tagged for four months.

His co-accused, Nathan James Holmes, 21, of Ellers Road, Sutton, was a former friend of Mr Middlemiss.

The court heard last Friday that Mr Middlemiss had been to a party with a friend and was on his way to the home of another friend in the early hours of August 15.

As he walked along a shortcut, near to the Bay Horse pub, he was confronted by Holmes and Kerr.

Prosecutor Alison Whiteley said Holmes punched Mr Middlemiss in the face. Mr Middlemiss, who was bleeding badly, went to walk off back to his car but was followed by Kerr who proceeded to punch him five or six times.

“Mr Middlemiss was dazed, unable to protect himself and fell to the floor,” said Mrs Whiteley.

Kerr then took hold of Mr Middlemiss’s shoe and pulled him across the pavement. He then felt a hard object hit him at the back of his head, said Mrs Whiteley.

Mitigating for Holmes, Arshad Mahmood said his client had recently applied to join the army but that he believed his military career would now be in jeopardy.

Mitigating for Kerr, Keith Blackwell said Kerr had recently come out of the army after volunteering two years ago and had served in the infantry including a spell in the Falkland Islands.

Magistrates told Holmes and Kerr that it had been a horrendous attack. Kerr was also given a 18-month community order. He will also have to pay £100 compensation to Mr Middlemiss and costs of £85.

Holmes was also given an 18-month community order, including 200 hours’ unpaid work and a curfew on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, between 8pm and 6am for four months. He will also have to pay £85 costs and £100 compensation.