A SOLDIER who got into an argument with a fellow squaddie and drove into him, knocking him face first into trees, has been spared prison.

Benjamin Stratford, of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, was twice the drink-drive limit when he mounted the pavement and drove at his friend in Bishop Auckland, County Durham.

The 22-year-old, who is the son of a Metropolitan Police inspector, lost his temper with soldier Brian Clish and drove at him, throwing him in the air and into some trees.

Teesside Crown court heard Mr Clish had earlier got out of the car in Leeholme after an argument, smashed the driver's side window and punched Stratford in the face before storming off.

Stratford, who had served with Mr Clish in Kosovo, Germany and Iraq, drove off at speed before turning his car around, mounting the pavement and drove at his friend.

He then drove off on the wrong side of the road before mounting the pavement and crashing into a tree.

Mr Clish was unhurt during the incident on June 1, but a female passenger in the car received severe bruising.

Stratford, of Tees Crescent, Spennymoor, County Durham, told police he had only wanted to scare his friend. He pleaded guilty to dangerous and driving with excess alcohol.

Jamie Hill, mitigating, said his client had left the Army in May but had been staying at Army accommodation in Richmond, North Yorkshire.

He told the court Stratford may have been suffering from post-traumatic shock after seeing atrocities in Basra.

Judge Tony Briggs gave Stratford an eight-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, and banned him from driving for 18 months. He was also ordered to pay £239 costs.