Two doormen abused their power by beating a man as they threw him out of an Oxford bar, a court heard.

Alec MacDonald, 25, a soldier from Andover, was found guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm against Peter Riddell. Shane Sherbourne, of Pinnocks Way, Oxford, admitted the offence.

MacDonald and Sherbourne were sentenced at Oxford Crown Court yesterday for the attack in G Bar on November 5 last year.

Judge Anthony King told the defendants: "I have no doubt the young persons who were also in that club had a considerable amount to drink, but have no doubt that they were behaving perfectly well.

"You both abused the positions you had in that club. Neither of you had any right or authority to eject this man from the club, but took it upon yourselves to do so.

"Having got him as far as the door, you proceeded to beat him up.

"It was abuse of power and aggressive conduct.

"You, MacDonald, as a trained soldier and experienced boxer, know the physical power you have, but you also ought to know the importance of self-control and discipline. You disgraced the uniform you usually wear.

"You, Mr Sherbourne, used physical violence when you had no right to do so and I reject any suggestion this young man was behaving badly."

Sherbourne was ordered to carry out 160 hours unpaid work for the community and ordered to pay £750 compensation to Mr Riddell.

MacDonald was ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work for the community, to pay £750 compensation to the victim and to pay £750 court costs.