A man who fractured a friend’s jaw with one punch was shown mercy by a judge to serve his country in the Armed Forces.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC told 19-year-old Jake Smith: “The harsh reality these days is young people don’t have the character, fibre or discipline to serve their country – you do.”

The judge told Smith, who is joining the Royal Engineers, he was imposing a community order to “promote your further contribution to this country”.

Ordering him to carry out 90 hours’ unpaid work for the community, Judge Durham Hall said he expected Smith to complete it in one or two months, so he could get on with his career.

Prosecutor Louise Reevell told Bradford Crown Court yesterday that last July the complainant, Lewis Noon, was sitting outside an Indian takeaway in Swain House Road, Swain House, Bradford, when he noticed the defendant, who seemed drunk, walking towards him.

Mrs Reevell said the two were friends but there had been problems because Smith had asked Mr Noon to speak to a girl through Facebook, but he had indicated he was too busy.

Mrs Reevell said the next thing Mr Noon knew, he had been punched to the right side of the jaw. The two squared up and there was pushing between them, but the defendant walked off for a taxi.

Mr Noon’s mouth was bleeding and he went to Bradford Royal Infirmary where he was found to have a fractured jaw. He needed surgery to fit a metal plate. He has since received £3,800 from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.

Smith, of Moser Avenue, Eccleshill, Bradford, who had no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to wounding.

His barrister, Giles Bridge, said his client had been selected by the Armed Forces but had not been able to start because of the criminal proceedings.

Judge Durham Hall said Smith had been unbelieveably stupid, but he would reflect his guilty plea, impeccable character, and that he had been accepted for specialist work with the Armed Forces, which was a mark of his standing and reputation.

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