A SOLDIER appeared before York magistrates within days of returning from special operations in Afghanistan.

Cathy Turnbull, prosecuting, said Matthew Orton, 25, was involved in a large-scale city centre brawl before he left the country for six months' active service.

A man not yet arrested by police started the incident in Rougier Street by punching a woman.

That led to several people including Orton getting involved. During the brawl, Orton grabbed a man round the neck, fell with him to the ground when punched by someone else, and held onto him while others kicked the victim in the head and body.

Two other people including a second soldier, Daniel Drinkwater, 24, were sentenced by magistrates during Orton's time abroad, for their part in the incident on October 28 at 3am, and a woman was cautioned.

Orton, of Farriers Way, Tattershall, Lincolnshire, pleaded guilty to a public order offence.

Drinkwater, of High Street, Alsagers Bank, near Newcastle-under-Lyme, and Lee Sean Quinlivan, 27, of Alder Way, New Earswick, pleaded guilty to the same offence in February.

When they sentenced Drinkwater to 16 weeks' imprisonment suspended for 12 months with 12 months supervision, 15 days rehabilitative activities and 200 hours' unpaid work, magistrates said it had been a sustained attack when in drink that had involved kicking someone on the ground. Drinkwater was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £115 statutory surcharge.

Quinlivan was given a community order with 160 hours' unpaid work and ordered to pay £85 costs and an £85 statutory surcharge.

Both had previous convictions, magistrates heard.

Orton was fined £441 with £85 prosecution costs and a £44 statutory surcharge.

His solicitor Sally Howard read out an army reference that said his army conduct was exemplary and the brawl was completely out of character.

She said he would also face military discipline. The army saw the brawl as tarnishing his otherwise "glowing" record as a non-commissioned officer.

She said he was remorseful for his actions and he had initially acted in self-defence of the woman hit at the start of the incident, who was his friend.