The soldiers, who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq, pummelled their victim as he lay on the ground in Cardiff city centre
Two paratroopers who have served on tours in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan punch, kick and stamp on a man during a fight in Cardiff city centre.
The “shocking” CCTV footage was shown twice at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday as the soldiers appeared together before a judge.
Ian Hammond, from Cardiff , and David Geldard, from the Vale of Glamorgan – both 33 – had previously pleaded guilty to affray.
Hammond, of Sanderling Drive in Trowbridge , and Geldard, of Bullfinch Road in St Athan, were involved in a fight in Charles Street in the early hours of November 1 last year.
The clip also shows a female security guard, only identified in court as Lisa who works at the Eagle Bar, try and intervene in the incident.
Prosecutor Andrew Jones said: “Both defendants appeared at the magistrates’ where they both entered guilty pleas at the earliest opportunity.”
Tim Hartland, for Hammond, said: “This was clearly an incident in relation to a number of other youths. Mr Hammond behaves in a completely inappropriate way.
“There’s a stamp to the body while the person is lying down.
'Fabulous service record'
“In terms of references that have been provided, there’s been exemplary service, and a very glowing report as to his conduct in difficult tours.
“He accepts the fact there has to be punishment for his offences.”
Hammond has four previous convictions for five offences going back to 2002 including being drunk and disorderly and two counts of using threatening language or behaviour, the court heard.
David Elias, for Geldard, said: “If there is to be a sentence of imprisonment or suspended sentence that would be the end of his career in the Army.
“His involvement is very limited.”
Mr Elias said Geldard, who has no previous convictions, had a “fabulous service record” and the incident was “entirely out of character”.
He told the court that Geldard has been in the Army for around 11 years, serving in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan, and is currently a lance corporal in the 1st Battalion of the Parachute Regiment.
Mr Elias said: “He was going through a very difficult divorce and a very difficult set of domestic circumstances.
“He appears today full of remorse and regret for what he has done. It was his birthday yesterday (January 20). Unfortunately on the 19th his father took his own life.
“He wants to know where he stands with the career that he loves.”
'Pretty brave'
The Recorder of Cardiff, Judge Eleri Rees, said: “Watching the CCTV in the cold light of day is pretty shocking. You are in your mid 30s, you are trained soldiers – there should be a discipline there. You lost your temper.”
Speaking about the security official who tried to step in, the judge said: “Given the size of the defendants that was pretty brave, I thought, to try and intervene and calm things down.”
She added: “Both of you have given good service. That’s not a licence to go out when you are off duty and behave in this way – in fact quite the opposite.
“You should be better able to judge these matters.”
Speaking directly to Hammond Judge Rees said: “It’s quite clear, Ian Hammond, that you are far more culpable.”
Geldard was given a community order of 100 hours of unpaid work and Hammond was given a community order of 150 hours of unpaid work along with a rehabilitation requirement.
Both orders are to be completed within a year and both men will pay a victim surcharge of £60 and costs of £85.
see-http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/shocking-moment-two-paratroopers-punch-10770877
No comments:
Post a Comment