A SERVING soldier who broke a project manager’s jaw on a Christmas Eve night out must wait to see if he still has a career in the military.

Samuel Shackleton, 20, narrowly avoided a jail sentence for an attack on Cameron Watson in Rawtenstall town centre, after the victim had been celebrating the festive season with his brother Harry and sister Emma.

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Shackleton, who had served in Afghanistan, must now await the outcome of a military court, before his commanding officer, after receiving a 12-month suspended prison sentence at Burnley Crown Court.

The soldier, of Oaklands Road, Edenfield, who admitted to a charge of unlawful wounding, must also pay Mr Watson £1,000 in compensation, alongside £300 court costs.

The court heard that an immediate prison term would have ended the career of Shackleton, who had taken part in patrols to detect improvised explosive devices in the war-torn country.

Passing sentence, Judge Beverley Lunt said the defendant had served his country with distinction – but his choice of friends back home ‘was bad’ and he needed to grow up.

“You now have to face another hearing which will determine your future in the army. For what it is worth, I hope that they keep you,” said Judge Lunt.

“He is still a young man and hopefully he can grow into the sort of man he could, and should be, and I am sure the Army will see that that occurs.”

Stephen Parker, prosecuting, said the incident began when Declan Bailey, one of Shackleton’s friends, had confronted Mr Watson, and his brother, at the Vogue nightclub in Rawtenstall.

Bailey put his hands in their face but he was pushed away.

The Watsons later left the venue and there was another confrontation near a taxi outside.

Mr Parker said Bailey got out of the cab and slapped Harry Watson in the face but was pushed away again, with his sister Emma insisting that they ‘just wanted to go home’.

Shortly afterwards, as they walked away, Cameron Watson turned around to be punched to the ground by Shackleton.

The court heard the victim needed treatment for a broken jaw and the family’s Christmas was effectively ruined.

The court heard Bailey was charged with two offences of common assault in relation to the incident and was given a community order by Burnley magistrates.