A Royal Marine decided attack was the best form of defence and launched a violent assault that hospitalised a man, a court heard.
Ryan Wordsworth, who is stationed with 45 Commando at RM Condor in Arbroath, was ordered to pay two men a total of £500 in compensation over the attacks outside a pub in Broughty Ferry.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard Wordsworth was thrown out of the Anchor Bar after an altercation. When the marine got out into the street he saw a group of men standing there and launched his attack.
One of his victims, Darren Mackie, suffered a dislocated thumb in the incident.
Depute fiscal Trina Sinclair told the court: “At 12.50am the accused was involved in a disturbance in the Anchor Bar and was ejected with other males.
“A short time later the complainers were outside and the accused lunged towards Mr Mackie first, repeatedly punching him to the head, causing a cut to his lip.
“Mr Mackie pushed the accused away and hurt his left hand. The accused was pulled away and a short time later he went to approach Mr Mackie again.”
Another man stood in the way and Wordsworth punched him to the face, causing him to fall to the ground.
“Mr Mackie later attended hospital and had suffered a dislocated thumb, a swollen eye and a cut lip,” added the fiscal.
Wordsworth, 27, pled guilty to charges of assault to injury on April 26
Ian Flynn, defending, said: “He attends with a commanding officer and will face a career check with his unit when he gets back.”