A TEENAGE soldier who is the fourth generation of his family to serve in the armed forces has been allowed to keep his Army career after fracturing a man’s ankle.

Sam Bailey, of Catterick Garrison, was on leave after completing his basic training as a rifleman with the Yorkshire Regiment when he attacked two men at a North Yorkshire takeaway on September 7 last year.

His commanding officer and his former paratrooper father attended a hearing at Bradford Crown Court, where Bailey admitted common assault on Jake Parker after punching him in the face, causing a cut lip and a bruise under his eye.

The 19-year-old, who had been arrested outside the takeaway in Keighley Road, Skipton, also pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm on Robert Collinge.

Sobia Ahmed, prosecuting. said the solder punched Mr Collinge once and he fell, breaking his ankle in two places.

Mr Collinge needed a metal plate and screws inserting into his ankle.

Michael Greenhalgh, defending, said Bailey was remorseful and of previous good character.

He added: “The career this man has chosen means the world to him.”

The Army automatically discharges soldiers who are given jail sentences.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC sentenced Bailey to 80 hours’ unpaid work and ordered him to pay Mr Collinge £1,000 compensation.

He told Bailey: “There are few things a young man can do that earns higher respect in the eyes of sensible people than serve their country.”