A SQUADDIE’S moment of madness has cost the careers of two promising soldiers after he drunkenly ploughed into a group of men, a court has heard.

Louis Leteve jumped behind the wheel of his friend’s car after an argument outside Club Louis on Catterick Garrison with a group of other soldiers.

The 23-year-old, who served a tour of duty in Afghanistan with the Royal Artillery, deliberately drove into the friends at more than 30mph when he spotted them walking back to their barracks.

The Northern Echo:

One of the men suffered catastrophic injuries to his left leg which resulted in him being medically discharged from 2nd battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Leteve's actions had left the young father seriously injured following the attack on April 4 last year, resulting in him getting married whilst still in a wheelchair and using crutches.

Paul Newcombe, prosecuting, said Leteve thought his friend Jordan Peers, who was also originally charged in connection with the attack, had been involved in a drunken altercation with the other group of soldiers.

Initially Peers tried to drive away but the other soldiers took the keys from the car after he hit a wall. Mr Newcombe said Leteve managed to get the keys back and drove away from the scene before coming across them again.

He said: "He went out of his way when he saw them walking along the road and went round a roundabout before driving at the group from behind at speed – they could take little or no defensive action."

The impact left one of the soldiers needing emergency treatment to save his leg.

In a victim impact statement, the victim said his life had 'monumentally changed' and had left unable to continue in his military career.

Leteve, who appeared in court with his arm in a sling following a mountain bike accident, had pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent and two charges of attempting to cause GBH with intent.

In mitigation, Adam Kirkby, said his client had had shown 'genuine remorse' and 'accepted full responsibility' for his actions.

He said: "He does accept that his words of apology will not carry much weight for the victim or his family.

"He is devastated that he has cost a fellow soldier his career."

Judge Stephen Ashurst said a 'rush of blood to the head' had resulted in Leteve seeking retribution against innocent people.

He said: "The victim's career has been brought to an end through circumstances outside of his control, as he was an innocent victim of your decision to aim the vehicle you were driving towards a group of people who you wrongly mistook to have behaved badly towards you earlier in the evening."

Leteve was jailed for six years for the most serious offence and passed two concurrent three year sentences for the lesser charges.

He was also banned from driving for an extended period of seven years.