A professional soldier who put his career at risk by attacking a complete stranger at a Cockermouth hotel has been spared an immediate jail term.

Barry Graham Irving, 33, turned violent after fellow guests at the Travelodge in Europe Way complained about a noisy late-night row he has having with his partner in their room.

When one of the unhappy guests suggested calling the police, Irving asked the man he attacked if he ‘wanted to have a go.’

The man replied: “Not really.” At this point, Carlisle Crown Court heard, Irving charged along the corridor and attacked the man, knocking him to the ground and repeatedly punching his face.

The attack only ceased because the partners of both men pulled Irving off his victim.

“But for that the attack would not have stopped,” the prosecuting barrister told the court.

The defendant, of Lisle Grove, Wallsend, admitted an assault causing actual bodily harm.

Passing sentence, Recorder Eric Lamb described the case as "tragic." He noted how Irving had in his early life accumulated numerous convictions for violence.

But in 2009 he had joined the Army and thereafter remained offence-free for a decade.

“It’s clear your service in the armed forces has been particularly well received,” said the judge, noting how Irving was promoted to lance corporal and had two good references.

An immediate jail term would end his Army career, the court heard. But a background report said Irving had gone through a relationship breakdown and Probation Service officials thought he could be helped.

But the victim of his attack suffered "substantial injuries" and was left suffering headaches and a graze to his thumb.

Recorder Lamb noted that the defendant – convicted of another serious assault last year – was drinking on the night of the attack, August 22 this year.

But the Probation Service did not deem him a risk to the public. Accepting there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation, the Recorder suspended the six-month jail term he imposed for two years. Irving must complete 20 days of rehabilitation activity.