A DRUNKEN would-be soldier who beat up his then girlfriend's brother told a court he hoped the Army would sort him out.

Michael Albert Spencer, 19, said he knew he had a short fuse and had taken up kick boxing to relieve stress.

The defendant was said to have had 55 units of alcohol in 24 hours before attacking Peter Johnson with a piece of wood when the victim was visiting his home.

He said: "It's just when I have had had a few beers and somebody rubs me up the wrong way."

Spencer told Burnley magistrates he kept trying to get in the Army but his criminal record stood in the way.

He told them: "I get into trouble every time."

The defendant, of Dall Street, Burnley, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, on March 10.

He was spared jail even though the bench said he posed a high risk of harm to the public and the guideline sentence was custody.

Spencer was given a two year community order, with supervision and 100 hours unpaid work. He must also take part in the Controlling Anger and Learning to Manage it (CALM) programme and pay £150 compensation. The bench made no order for costs.

Dylan Bradshaw, defend-ing, said Spencer went beyond any reasonable self defence and any lawful justification for the use of force.