A drunken man who savagely attacked a soldier on a York street in the early hours has won a cut in his jail term.

Robert Farrow, 21, of James Street in the city, was jailed for two-and-a-half years at York Crown Court in August, after pleading guilty to assaulting Steven Tremble, occasioning him actual bodily harm.

But London's Criminal Appeal Court concluded the sentence was too long - and cut it to 18 months.

Mr Justice Crane, sitting with Sir Michael Wright, said the nature of the attack - which was captured on CCTV, and showed Farrow alternately punching and kicking his victim - meant a jail term was justified.

But he added: "We have to consider whether a sentence of two-and-a-half years was necessary, bearing in mind a plea of guilty and this young man was acting out of character, as all the indications are."

He concluded, "sustained and serious" as the attack was, the appropriate term was 18 months.

The judge said that, in April this year, the soldier - who had drunk a considerable amount of alcohol - was in Bridge Street, York, at about 4am.

"He came across the appellant who, for some reason, decided to attack him," the judge said.

Farrow had punched and kicked him a number of times to his face and body.

As a result of the vicious assault, Mr Tremble was treated for bruising, and suffered eight weeks of pain in his ribs. He also experienced headaches and his general confidence was seriously eroded.

The judge said Farrow had drunk a considerable amount of alcohol and was arrested near the scene after a short chase.

"There is no doubt he managed to run extremely fast when he felt the need to do so and may not have been as drunk as claimed," he said.

Farrow was of previous good character, had shown remorse and had positive reports from prison.

Updated: 10:03 Wednesday, December 21, 2005