A FORMER soldier who stuck his finger in his girlfriend's eye and broke her cheekbone and nose was ordered to pay her compensation yesterday.

Goddard, 38, of Ashfield Avenue, Grove Hill, Middlesbrough, appeared before Teesside Crown Court and admitted causing grievous bodily harm to Paula McQuillan.

Judge Tony Briggs ordered Goddard to pay £1,500 compensation to Miss McQuillan and costs of £130.

Goddard was also ordered to perform 100 hours of community service and was put on probation for 12 months.

Cath Fagan, prosecuting, said Miss McQuillan returned home early from an afternoon out but Goddard was annoyed she had not telephoned first.

He persuaded her to go out to the pub with him, said Miss Fagan. The two argued on the way home when she told him the relationship was over.

The argument continued at home. Goddard hit Miss McQuillan and she went to the floor, where he grabbed hold of her and pushed his finger into her eye. He punched her again and she begged him to stop and to call an ambulance, said Miss Fagan.

Paul Newcombe, for Goddard, said his client continued to express his remorse. He was not a violent man, although he is a trained soldier. The incident was a one-off.

Goddard had found work and a prison sentence would lead to him losing his job and his home