A SERVING soldier, who lost a leg in a bomb explosion in Iraq which killed two of his friends, was spared jail yesterday after he admitted carrying out a bottle attack on two men.

Lionel O’Conner, 24, of Kingsbridge Close, Bocking, had suffered post traumatic stress disorder over the incident in Basra, Chelmsford Crown Court heard.

He admitted two offences of wounding after leaving Chicago Rock, in Braintree, on August 10, 2007, after three men “took the mickey out of his leg and South African accent”.

Imposing a 12-month jail sentence suspended for 18 months, Mr Justice David Calvert-Smith told him and his brother Aaron, 21, of the same address, who was also involved: “Words between one of the men and Lionel O’Conner, initially it did not involve Aaron O’Conner or the other two, ended up with a bottle being used to cause disfiguring injuries to two men. A third was struck by the fist of Aaron O’Conner.”

Lionel O’Conner was also ordered to pay £1,650 compensation to his two victims and to comply with a six-month 10pm to 7am curfew when in the UK.

Aaron O’Conner, who admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, was given a community order with alcohol treatment for 12 months, a six-month 10pm to 7am curfew when he is in Essex, and ordered to pay £200 to his victim.

Prosecutor Ian Boyes said the incident occurred at 2.45am. He said Lionel O’Conner had produced a bottle and had gone to hit one man. The man had put an arm up and the bottle had smashed.

Lionel O’Conner had then smashed the left side of the man’s face with the broken bottle. Then the other man was hit. Both suffered cuts in the incident.

Lionel O’Conner, who still serves with the 2nd Battalion Royal Anglians, is now based in Celle, north Germany, working in IT for the Army.

Stephen Akinsanya, representing the O’Conners, said: “Lionel suffers flashbacks over the incident in Iraq and he’s sought help.”

Aaron O’Conner, who studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London, thought he was protecting his brother.