Single punch on Wolverhampton night out ruined soldier's Army career

Daniel Callinswood landed himself in trouble after speaking to a girl in the street holding a rose during a night out in Wolverhampton, the city's Crown Court was told.

The 24-year-old soldier had not realised she was with her boyfriend who was some distance away, and a row flared between the two men, who had both been drinking, said Mr Nicholas Burn, prosecuting. The squaddie punched the victim when the dispute erupted again as they met by chance at a taxi queue in Market Street.

Mr Burn said: "The victim and his girlfriend were out for the evening when the defendant approached and spoke to the girl with reference to the rose she was holding.

"There was a later confrontation between the two men, during which the victim was struck a single blow that caused him to stumble. The defendant claimed that he did this because the other person was aggressive and confrontational."

The punch caused bruising to the face, and the victim suffered further injury when he started punching a shopfront and had to be subdued by taxi marshalls who also detained Callinswood.

Mr Patrick Currie, defending, said: "Words were exchanged, and this defendant sensibly held back en route to the taxi rank where as a result of the words being said and the manner of the victim, the blow was struck. It was not a sustained attack. It was over in seconds.

"This unfortunate incident has affected the defendant greatly. Prior to it happening, he had an exemplary record and has received a glowing reference from his former commanding officer."

Since the fracas on August 25, Callinswood has left the Army as a result of the assault and other issues. His hopes of a career in security were also dashed because of the conviction, and he is now working as a lorry driver, the court heard.

Judge John Warner told Callinswood: "There was an overreaction, and you struck a single blow in excessive self-defence.

"Now the loss of your good character has led to all sorts of problems for you. The letter from the Army speaks very highly of you."

Callinswood, of Thompson Avenue, Parkfields, who admitted assault, was given a community order with a 10-week night-time curfew and was ordered to pay £100 compensation to the victim and £200 towards the costs of the case. After the incident, he was not sent to Afghanistan but was held in reserve in case he was needed to replace comrades killed or injured on the front line.