A SINGLE head butt delivered by a young man in a late night restaurant almost cost him his longed for army career. Had Adam Chambers been given a jail term he would not have been able to enlist for 10 years, Luton Crown Court was told. But a judge passed

A SINGLE head butt delivered by a young man in a late night restaurant almost cost him his longed for army career.

Had Adam Chambers been given a jail term he would not have been able to enlist for 10 years, Luton Crown Court was told.

But a judge passed an alternative penalty leaving the door open for him to join up.

Chambers, 21, of Kingsmead, Shefford, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm on April 1 this year.

David Chrimes, prosecuting on Friday, said the victim, Andrew Kirkpatrick, was with friends in the Red Rooster chicken shop in Hitchin at 3am eating chicken and chips.

"Someone knocked Mr Kirkpatrick's chips out of his hand and an argument broke out. The defendant then head butted him on the side of his face causing him to fall and others assaulted him when he was on the ground," he said.

Bill Maley, defending, said: "Until this offence he was of impeccable character, working with the army as a civilian.

"But he has put his future career as a soldier in jeopardy by this ill-judged, foolish and downright stupid act. He has disgraced himself and his family.

"He apologises profusely. He wants to do service for his country. Custody, whether immediate or suspended would delay that by 10 years, but a community penalty will delay it for only as long as the order runs."

Judge Richard Foster told Chambers: "Looking at the photograph of the injury, you must be ashamed of yourself.

"But against that you are of impeccable character and many people have written about your positive qualities."

He ordered Chambers to do 100 hours unpaid work, abide by a night time curfew for three months and pay £250 compensation.

"Think yourself lucky that you are leaving court by the front door and not in a prison van," added the judge.