Soldier elbowed man during night out with his platoon

A SOLDIER who was on a night out after returning from a four-month tour with the Army assaulted a man at a bar in Cardiff.

Jacob Babbington, based at MOD St Athan, said he was feeling “paranoid” when he struck the man with his elbow and stamped on him once he was on the floor.

Sentencing him at Cardiff Crown Court, Judge Eleri Rees described the assault as “completely unjustified”.

The incident occurred at Live Lounge in Cardiff city centre on December 13 last year.

The court heard Babbington had just returned from a tour with the Army and was enjoying a night out with his platoon.

John Lloyd, prosecuting, said the defendant was seen to strike victim Randeep Bains with his elbow.

Mr Bains fell to the floor where the defendant stamped on him.

Babbington was detained by security until the police arrived and arrested at the scene. He told officers he had an altercation with the man in the toilets earlier that evening, adding: “It set off my paranoia.”

Babbington stated he had just completed a tour of duty and described the assault as a “reflex action”.

He accepted drinking eight pints that night, which he said was out of character for him.

Mr Bains suffered a 2.5cm cut to his eyebrow, which had to be stitched. He also had a cut to his lip.

In a victim personal statement read out in court he said he had experienced nightmares almost every night since the incident.

He said his friends tried to cheer him up but he could not laugh due to the pain in his face and struggled to eat and drink. Babbington admitted wounding. David Elias QC, defending, said his client was a serving soldier with no previous convictions.

The court heard he was diagnosed with adjustment disorder and is now completing online modules with the Changing Minds Project to help with his mental health problems.

Mr Elias said the defendant’s references stated he had demonstrated “nothing but maturity” in the Army and was described as “a polite and enthusiastic soldier”.

He said: “The sentence may have ramifications on his career in the Army.”

Judge Rees said: “Nothing justified what occurred.”

Babbington was given a 24-month community order, requiring him to complete 20 days of a rehabilitation activity and 180 hours of unpaid work.

He must pay £2,000 in compensation and £1,000 in costs.