Four Royal Marines have been sentenced to military detention for fracturing a colleague's cheekbone after they saw him pestering a woman at a bar.
Eathen Bradley-Moor, 22, Shaun Joash, 25, Lucas Johnson, 22, and Ben O'Callaghan, 23, appeared before Bulford Military Court in Wiltshire after pleading guilty to assault.
The court heard the Marines repeatedly punched and kicked Recruit Anton Mills when they saw him being 'drunk and annoying' and 'squeezing a woman's neck'.
They also stamped on him when he fell to the ground during the incident at The Botanist bar in Exeter in July last year.
The four young men have now been handed eight months' service detention after pleading guilty to a count each of assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Bulford Military Court.
They all held the rank of recruit when the attack took place, and were stationed at the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, Devon, at the time, alongside Rct Mills.
The men were part of the 377 Troop and Rct Mills was part of the 382 Troop.
They had recently returned from a week-long training exercise when they decided to go out drinking.
Eathen Bradley-Moore, 22, was said to be one of the 'leaders' of the assault - pushing over Rct Mills. He is pictured here outside Burford Military Court
Lucas Johnson, 22, (pictured) was another primary instigator, the court heard - as he helped 'start the altercation'
Shaun Joash, 25, is pictured here outside Bulford Military Court. He was said to have made his way to the scene ater 'seeing something from across the bar'
Prosecutor Colonel Neil Keery said: '[Rct Mills] had been drinking most of the day and at about 9pm he went to the botanist and spoke to a friend of his ex girlfriend.
'Rct Mills and her had been talking about a holiday she was organising. The four defendants didn't know he knew her.
'Even on the crown's case he was drunk and annoying.
'He was persistent and even squeezed her neck at one point, not aggressively but not welcomed by her either.'
The court heard Bradley-Moor and Johnson at this point 'started an altercation', effectively 'leading the assault', with Bradley-Moor pushing over Rct Mills.
Mr Keery added: 'Another recruit then encourages Rct Mills to leave but he does not so a much more serious assault follows.
'O'Callaghan and Joash saw something from across the bar and came over. All four were involved. They punch him onto the floor and then Johnson and O'Callaghan punch him and attempt kicks or stamps against him while he's on the floor.'
Bystanders attempted to hold the Marines back and security came to defuse the situation, the court heard.
Ben O'Callaghan (pictured) also made his way over to the scene where he threw punches at Rct Mills
However, at this point the Marines had fractured Rct Mills' cheekbone in three places.
They were interviewed by service police but did not come clean about the extent of the fighting, the court heard.
In a victim statement read to the court, Rct Mills said: 'After I sustained a fracture to my left cheekbone, I was unable to continue my training with 382 Troop and was put in 100 which is essentially for injured recruits.
'Following the assault I'm much more aware of my surroundings, especially when I'm out or have been drinking. I'm always checking over my shoulder.
'If I'd stayed with my old troop I would have my green beret by now but as it is I failed my run and haven't passed out yet. I still have months left of training.
'It's affected my morale as this was done by lads that I had been training with. I've found myself wondering if I should have joined The Royal Marines.'
The four Marines have each since passed through and gained the rank of Marine, but they have all been employed in non-combat roles since the incident.
Lieutenant Commander Andrew Pandyan, defending Mne Joash, Mne Johnson and Mne O'Callaghan, said: 'They had recently returned from a week long field training so they would have sleep deprivation, fatigue and stress from that.
'It has all the hallmarks of something that was very spontaneous. You can see how that interaction led to escalation.
'There was no thought behind it, it was just a loss of control. Recruits Joash and O'Callaghan are sort of swept into this as it is happening.
'Marine Johnson has a leading role in this but I don't think it was ever his intention for this melee to occur.
'It was unfortunate circumstances for the impaired judgement and subsequent loss of control.'
They have now been sentenced to eight months in service detention at Colchester, Essex.
Sentencing the marines, Judge Advocate General Alan Large said: 'None of you have ever been in any trouble before, but on July 12 last year you were in The Botanist bar in Exeter.
'At around nine in the evening Anton Mills was talking to a friend of his ex-girlfriend's. He was drunk and annoying her which led to a confrontation.
'Some of you kicked him. Some of you punched him. Some of you did both. You are all jointly responsible.
'Between you, you fractured his cheekbone in three places. It was treated by doctors in Lympstone until Rct Mills rejoined training on September 5 but he unfortunately was held back.'
Judge Alan added the four men had been arrested and interviewed - but failed to 'properly own up'.
However, he noted that each had 'positive references' and would likely have 'successful careers' if they stayed in the service.
He said: 'Unlawful violence can corrode operational ability and unit cohesiveness. Dismissal should be considered in cases of ABH [assault occasioning actual bodily harm]. This took place in a bar in Exeter and I have no doubt that many people knew you were service personnel.
'We have decided it's not necessary to dismiss you from His Majesty's service. We have decided that service detention is more in the interests of justice than a prison sentence.'
The marines have also been ordered to pay their victim a total of £750 in compensation.