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Thug who broke ex's jaw spared jail to join Army

A thug's dream of joining the Parachute Regiment has helped to keep him out of jail after he punched his partner in the face.

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James Hucklesby fractured the jaw of his then-girlfriend when the couple clashed after a night of drinking during which he had down three quarters of a bottle of rum, a judge heard.

The 22-year-old pushed the woman away after she scratched him and then punched her in the face when she came at him again, Wolverhampton Crown Court was told.

She was felled by the blow that caused significant facial damage and also injured her leg when she fell to the floor on November 2, explained Mr Andrew Wilkins, prosecuting.

Mr Michael Anning, defending, said: "Initially some force had been used against him. He had been subjected to quite persistent verbal and physical provocation.

"His push to her may have been justified but the punch was not. This was excessive self defence.

"The couple had been together for about a year when this happened but he is now in a new relationship. He is intends to join the army but a sentence of immediate imprisonment could halt that process."

Hucklesby from Fifth Avenue, Low Hill was of previous good character and had held several jobs in the past including the post of an assistant physiotherapist at New Cross Hospital.

He pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and was told by Judge Stephen Eyre QC: "You are a fit, powerfully built young man. Your former girlfriend is slightly built and violence like this is a serious matter.

"But this was out character and I am satisfied that you are making good and proper plans for the future. You are taking steps to serve your country in the armed services and this, coupled with your previous good character and genuine remorse, means that I am able to suspend the inevitable sentence of imprisonment."

Hucklesby was given an eight month jail term suspended for two years and made the subject of a restraining order banning him from any contact with the victim of the attack for the next five years.

A recommendation that the defendant should do a period of unpaid work was not adopted by the court because this would delay his admission to the army.

The judge concluded: "You are better serving the community by serving your country."

He is now set to join the Army, a career which could have been ruined if he had been locked up.

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