Drunk Para head-butts girlfriend during night out in Colchester

Cpl Ross Ellison came out of the toilets in Missoula, in Head Street, Colchester and head-butted his partner of seven months, who fell to the ground.

Club security were made aware of the incident, which was caught on CCTV, and Ellison, 26, was detained at the scene.

The victim suffered bleeding but there was no visible injuries after the late night April 30 attack.

During police interview, Ellison told officers he could not remember the attack because he was drunk.

Matthew Swash, mitigating, said: “He is completely ashamed and embarrassed by what has happened.

“He has had an exemplary career in the Army and it is just the worst thing he has ever done in his life.”

Dad-of-one Ellison joined the Parachute Regiment six years ago and the court heard he had been “fast-tracked” through the ranks and is now a Corporal.

He was deployed in Afghanistan as part of Operation Herrick and has also served in the Falkland Islands.

Ellison’s commanding officer told the court he had an “untarnished record” which was down to “his levels of discipline”.

The officer added: “It was completely out of character for him to demonstrate this behaviour.”

District Judge Susan Holdham ordered Ellison to complete 80 hours of unpaid work and pay a total of £420, including £250 in compensation which must be paid to Miss Bird.

Mrs Holden said: “You present me with a very difficult sentencing.

“People who normally come before me who have head-butted their girlfriend usually have drug or alcohol problems.

“You have clearly worked hard to get to where you are and everybody speaks very highly of you.

“Clearly you are a remarkable young man in some ways.

“I can understand young men getting into fights, but head-butting your girlfriend goes against what sort of character you have.”

Ellison admitted one count of assault by beating when he appeared at Colchester Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

The soldier, who is from Cheshire, lives in Merville Barracks, in Colchester.