Falklands War veteran battered fellow Royal Marine with bar stool on Remembrance Day but was spared prison because of PTSD
A FALKLANDS War veteran who battered a fellow ex-Royal Marine with a bar stool on Remembrance Day has been spared jail after a court heard he has PTSD.
Stephen Burton, 55, had downed 12 pints of beer when he viciously assaulted former commando Kevin Gunn, 59, leaving him unconscious in a pool of blood.
The two veterans, who had never met, had been to separate Remembrance events before both ended up at the Foundry Arms in Poole, Dorset.
One of Burton's friends made a rude comment about a woman in Mr Gunn's group and he told the man he was "out of order".
Burton then stormed outside, punched the victim to the ground and repeatedly clubbed him with the bar stool.
Bournemouth crown court heard Burton had suffered post-traumatic stress disorder since serving in the Falklands conflict in 1982.
The condition combined with heavy drinking made him "potentially more explosive and more dangerous" when faced with problems.
MOST READ IN NEWS
He admitted causing actual bodily harm and was sentenced to four months in prison suspended for two years.
Afterwards his victim said he was "disgusted" and claimed Burton had used the illness as an excuse.
Ex-Marine Mr Gunn said: "I was in the Falklands too and experienced horrifying things, saw people killed in front me, but I didn't get PTSD.
"For him to use it as an excuse is incredibly offensive to me and anyone who suffers from the disorder.
"He shouldn't be able to get away with such a brutal assault because of it.
"As Royal Marines we are supposed to be a family, a band of brothers looking after each other. That's why it's been such a shock.
"Burton is a disgrace to his family, his friends and the Royal Marines."
Mr Gunn, who also served in Northern Ireland and was a cop for 25 years, suffered head injuries and extensive bruising and lost two pints of blood.
He also underwent a cardioversion — a procedure to restore an irregular heartbeat to normal — and has been unable to work since.
He said: "The attack has affected me both physically and mentally.
"If the stool hadn't been taken off him he could have killed me.
"The irony is that I think I actually do have PTSD now as a result of what he did. I relive the assault and think about it all the time."
He also blasted prosecutors for accepting a plea to ABH instead of the more serious charge of GBH with intent, which carries a maximum sentence of life in jail.
Burton was ordered to complete 150 hours community work and a ten-day rehabilitation activity, and pay the victim £1,000 compensation.
Recorder Simon Levene told the defendant: "This was a very shocking assault.
"There is no silver bullet for your problems. You are close to the brink and I think you know it.
"It reflects very badly on your service colleagues and that should be an incentive to you."
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368