A SERVING Royal Marine was labelled a “buffoon” by a judge for a “cowardly attack” during a “minor dispute over a taxi”.

John Faulkner, who was described as an “outstanding solider” in court, assaulted two young men in Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, during a night out.

Judge Robert Pawson told Faulkner, 34, that his conduct on March 6 had brought a “disgrace” on the Royal Marines.

“It is an illustrious regiment, but you are not expected to fight with civilians on the street,” Judge Pawson said.

“A cowardly attack, launching punches without warning in what was a minor disagreement.”

The judge said the victims did nothing wrong in approaching the taxi moments before the attack took place.

Faulkner, an Acting Sergeant who had been due for promotion in January, avoided a custodial sentence after the judge gave significant consideration to his military record and the amount of money he had available to pay in compensation.

The defendant, of Runcorn, Cheshire, previously pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assault by beating.

He appeared in the dock at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentencing on Friday, December 2.

The court heard the victim of the more serious assault suffered damage to five or six of his teeth after being punched.

The injuries inflicted by the defendant in a “split second” came after the victim spent five years wearing braces to straighten his teeth in his teenage years.

The attack was described as “impulsive and short-lived” by the judge.

Judge Pawson said he had read multiple references from members of the Royal Marines, which showed the defendant, who served in Afghanistan, had “earned the respect and a certain level of stature across all ranks”.

Richard Martin, mitigating, said the defendant had previously been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and received treatment for this.

He was working with medical and welfare officers to get help for his problems, Mr Martin said.

The barrister said the defendant now had an insight into his triggers and he had stopped drinking alcohol.

Mr Martin submitted it was an “exceptional case”, which could properly be marked with a community order.

The judge accepted that Faulkner had expressed genuine remorse and there was a low risk of reoffending.

“I have seen that you are taking steps to deal with the issues that you face,” Judge Pawson said.

The judge said Faulkner had previously been convicted for similar night-time violence back in 2015 and he described him as a “buffoon” for his latest offending.

“It is embarrassing and it should be an embarrassment to you and the fact that you are a Royal Marine makes things worse,” the judge said.

Judge Pawson said the defendant’s actions had not done the public relations for his unit and his fellow Royal Marines “any good at all”.

Faulkner received an 18-month community order, with requirements to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work and up to 30 rehabilitation activity days. He was ordered to pay £7,500 compensation.

The judge said the defendant would receive further punishment from his commanding officer at a later date.

He said sending Faulkner to jail would mean the country would lose an “outstanding Marine”, no compensation would be available to the victim and there would be an impact on the defendant’s young daughter.