A SOLDIER and his friend attacked a doorman outside a bar after getting into an alcohol-fuelled argument.

Samkel Buthelezi, aged 21, of Bordon, Hampshire, and Dallas Mpala, aged 24, formerly of Church Close, Biddulph, set on Lazares Pinto at The Mandela Bar, Hanley, on February 1.

The pair pleaded guilty to assault occasioning him actual bodily harm at an earlier hearing and were sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday.

Neil Ahuja, prosecuting, said both men repeatedly threw punches at Mr Pinto on the street outside the bar.

He said: "On CCTV footage, as the men walk away both are seen to raise their hands high and clap each other's hands."

The court heard Mr Pinto sustained minor injuries, but it was suggested that may have been because the pair were too drunk to succeed in hitting him.

Mr Ahuja said Mpala had three other convictions for violence.

Nicholas Tatlow, defending Mpala, said he felt others were responsible for the way the violence started and escalated.

He said: "He has been in this country since he was 16 but it is only in the last two years that he has been in trouble with the law. This appears to have been due to his issues with drinking and the breakdown of his partner leading to him becoming abusive to her."

An Army representative told the court Buthelezi was training to be an armourer with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

He said the Army would administer its own disciplinary action for the offence, but if he received a suspended sentence or prison sentence he would be thrown out.

He said there was a great shortage of armourers in the Army.

Alison Downs, defending Buthelezi, said: "He is remorseful for his actions and for the distress he has caused the victim. This incident has been fuelled by alcohol."

Judge Robert Trevor-Jones imposed a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and 150 hours' unpaid work for Mpala.

Buthelezi was given an 18-month community order with 150 hours' community work.

Both men were ordered to pay the victim £200 compensation. Buthelezi was also ordered to pay £500 costs.

Judge Trevor-Jones said he reduced the number of hours of unpaid work for Buthelezi because of his commitment to the Army.

He said: "You are a valuable asset to the armed forces in relation to the defence of this country."

He told Mpala: "You are beginning to indicate quite violent tendencies when in drink."

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