by Paul Hooper

Two sons of former Gurkhas have been given a dressing down for a cowardly attack on a publican.

Dipendra Sahi, 23 and pal Bijay Limbu, 22, used belts in the 4am bust-up in Folkestone in February this year

But the Judge, Recorder Patricia May told them: "This was disgraceful behaviour on that night. You both have fathers of whom you must be extremely proud. You have brought shame on them and defiled the honour of your families by this cowardly behaviour."

Sahi and Limbu both of Cheriton High Street, Folkestone pleaded guilty to assault and were ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work, placed under a curfew and each ordered to pay Steven Bains £250 compensation.

The judge added: "You have been saved from a custodial sentence because I take this as an appalling and out of character aberration and you have shown a degree of remorse for your conduct."

Donna East, prosecutor, told Canterbury Crown Court that at 4am on February 5 this year police were called to a fight outside the View Public House in West Terrace.

Four drunken men damaged a sign next to the pub, she said.

"Mr Bains, the owner of the public house, was inside cashing up. He heard a loud crash and he went to investigate.

"He saw a broken sign and asked them what had happened and was attacked by Sahi and Limbu using belts. Fortunately he wasn't seriously hurt," she added.

Sahi claimed the four had downed two bottles of vodka and a bottle of whisky before the attack.

The incident was captured on CCTV and shown to the judge.

Dominic Webber for the two men said they are the sons of ex-Gurkhas.

The judge retorted: "Then I shouldn't think their fathers are very proud of them."

Hong Kong-born Limbu came to the UK in 2005 and was taught at the Pent Valley School in Surrenden Road but left before taking his A levels.

He now works as £6-an-hour part-time receptionist at a Chinese takeaway restaurant in Bouverie Road, said Mr Webber.

Nepalese Sahi, the son of a former army officer, came to England in 2006 and now works for a mobile phone repair company for £180 a week.