A YOUNG soldier who buried a pickaxe into the head of a colleague has been cleared of attempted murder, but still faces jail.

Private Grant Kenyon, 18, had denied attempting to kill Lance Corporal Konrad Bisping but pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Both soldiers were from the First Battalion Queens Lancashire Regiment, in Catterick, North Yorkshire.

The court heard that Kenyon had attacked L Cpl Bisping after a bust-up during a three-day Army training exercise on Salisbury Plain,Wiltshire, in January.

It was alleged that the axe struck L Cpl Bisping, 26, with such force, that the point pierced his skull and embedded itself an inch-and-a-half into his brain.

He slumped to the ground with the metal tool still lodged in his head. He survived but suffered serious brain damage.

Bristol Crown Court was told that L Cpl Bisping was leading a platoon on an exercise code-named Wessex Warrior, in preparation for war with Iraq.

Kenyon, then aged 17, hurt his ankle and began lagging behind his colleagues during an attacking move.

L Cpl Bisping dropped back to remonstrate with him and Kenyon then claimed he was punched in the face.

Colleagues told the jury that he was "snarling"' with rage after the incident.

The court heard that shortly afterwards, as the soldiers congregated at the bottom of a hill, Kenyon crept up behind L Cpl Bisping and swung the axe into his head.

The weapon was a 3ft-long Army issue pickaxe with a 1ft wide blade head.

Father-of-two Lance Corp Bisping, from Clitheroe, Lancashire, underwent brain surgery at Southampton Hospital and spent five days in a critical condition.

Kenyon told the court he had not meant to kill L Cpl Bisping but admitted striking him on the side of the head with the pickaxe.

Private Daniel Stubbs was resting with Kenyon towards the end of the exercise near Imber village, a training settlement used for military exercises.

He told the court that the private had blood coming from the side of his mouth and told him: "Corporal Bisping hit me.''

The jury returned a majority verdict of not guilty.

The judge adjourned sentencing on the GBH charge. He warned Kenyon he faced custody.