A Canterbury soldier who admitted carrying out a nasty assault in the city told a judge today: "I would rather face the bullets in Afghanistan than spend one more day in prison."

Christopher Hunter and Army pal Cy Inglis were in North Holmes Road when they confronted a group of youngsters going home.

The 21-year-old squaddies, who are with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, based at Howe Barracks, both escaped prison sentences - despite a judge hearing they gloated about the unprovoked attack.

Nina Ellin, prosecuting, told Canterbury Crown Court how friends James Galbraith, Alexander Bailes and Polly Silvester were walking home when they were confronted by the drunken soldiers.

Mr Galbraith was punched in the face - as Hunter began attacking Mr Bailes, punching him to the ground and kicking him.

The prosecutor said Ms Silvester fled across the road to call the police as the two soldiers carried out the attack - leaving Mr Bailes unconscious and with a smashed tooth and a broken nose.

Ms Ellin said at one point Hunter left off beating Mr Galbraith to join Inglis in his assault on Mr Bailes.

The attack was witnessed by a passer-by who later told police the soldier "appeared to be gloating about the incident".

As they fled over fences in Spring Lane, police officers with dogs searched for them - finding Inglis hiding in bushes and Hunter under a car.

Inglis, who pleaded guilty to two assaults, told officers: "I give up. I give up," and Hunter, who admitted one assault, said: "It was my fault. It was me."

Both were then granted bail, but Hunter was later arrested for criminal damage and remanded in custody for 30 days awaiting sentence for the assault.

Kerry Waite, for Hunter, told the judge: "The defendant, who had done two tours, has made it clear that he would rather face bullets in Afghanistan than spent one more day in HM prisons.

"The last 30 days have been the worst in his life and he fears spending any more time in prison."

Hunter and Inglis were sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court

He said the soldier has a drink problem and had been "drinking to excess" on the night in May last year when he thought someone had shouted out something.

"He just assumed that it was this group who said something and he went over to remonstrate with them."

He said Hunter - who joined the Army aged 15 - now faces being kicked out of the Army because of the attack.

Nicholas Jinks, defending Inglis, said he had shortly returned from Afghanistan and had been given the Operation Service Medal.

He said receiving a dishonorable discharge from the Army "was almost inevitable", but he had written a letter of apology to his victims.

Recorder Peter Morgan told them serving their country in Afghanistan was "something they should be proud of".

He said: "That is not something I would wish on anyone and if you lose your careers, it would be a punishment far more serious than anything this court could impose for this nasty attack."

Inglis was ordered to do 120 hours' unpaid work and Hunter was given a 12-month supervision order and told he had to undertake a treatment for his alcohol problem.