AN ex-soldier who served in Iraq and Afghanistan has been spared jail over a violent attack, after a judge heard of his struggles with an anxiety disorder.

Stuart Taylor was given a 12-month suspended prison sentence after he broke a friend’s jaw in two places.

Taylor, of Waltham Gardens, Banbury, admitted causing grievous bodily harm to Wayne Brown, who now has a permanent metal plate in his face.

He had known his victim for six years.

Taylor’s barrister Terrance Woods said there was “no other explanation” for his actions apart from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Oxford Crown Court heard this week.

The 30-year-old is a former soldier who served two tours of duty in Iraq and one in Afghanistan.

Mr Woods said his client was based in Germany but left the Army after he was refused a further deployment in Afghanistan.

Mr Woods said he was diagnosed with PTSD five months before he attacked Mr Brown, but had probably been suffering from it for much longer.

Mr Woods said Taylor became violent at a gathering in Red House Road, Bodicote, on August 17 after a woman alleged he had pinched her bottom.

He said: “He felt that he was wrongly accused and became angrier and angrier.

“Realising that a situation was developing he thought the best thing to do was leave.”

But Mr Woods said he suffered a “loss of self control” and punched Mr Brown in the face, as well as damaging a van parked in the house’s drive.

He said that after a “difficult upbringing” Taylor joined the army aged 19.

He said: “On his tours he saw active combat and it is undoubtedly the case that, layered on top of what happened in his early life, that is what led him to be violent.

“There is absolutely no other explanation for his behaviour.

“He was among friends and he erupted incredibly after he felt wrongly accused.

“He is now doing as much as he possibly can to address and alleviate that condition.”

Mr Woods said Taylor is now receiving treatment for his condition at RAF Brize Norton.

Judge Ian Pringle said it didn’t matter whether or not the allegation against Taylor was true.

He said: “Your reaction to that was completely disproportionate and you became seriously violent and punched Wayne Brown in the face.

“You broke his jaw in two places – I hope you never forget that.

“But I have read a lot about you, particularly about your upbringing and about the service you gave to Her Majesty’s armed forces.

“I am glad to see you are now addressing the problems which that caused you.”

Taylor also confessed to criminal damage after he punched the side of a van during the same outburst, causing £1,200 worth of damage.

The judge sentenced Taylor to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, with 120 hours of unpaid work and a restorative justice programme.