A MOMENT of madness has left a promising Trowbridge sailor facing up to a career in tatters after he was jailed for a vicious night-time attack on a partygoer.

Paul Vennell flew back from HMS Gloucester, which is en route to the Gulf, to be sentenced for kicking salesman Martin Bateman twice in the head as he lay on the ground.

Jailing Vennell for 15 months, Judge Keith Cutler told the 27-year-old Naval mechanic he should be shocked and appalled by his actions, which left him with no choice but to impose a jail term.

Camera footage from Trowbridge's CCTV system, showing the Park Road attack in the early hours of December 7, was played during the hearing at Swindon Crown Court on Friday.

The footage showed Vennell launching two kicks towards Martin Bateman's head, as he lay unconscious on the ground.

Seconds earlier Mr Bateman had been knocked down by a single blow from Vennell's friend, Scott Carpenter, who was also given a 15 months' jail.

Det Con Neil Le'Maire said a moment of madness had cost the sailor his career.

"It was a nasty, vicious assault. On watching the video nothing other than a prison sentence was acceptable," he said.

"When I saw the video I thought it was very graphic. It had an impact on me.

"The message is a moment of madness can ruin lives."

Prosecutor Richard Thomas said the camera footage painted a thousand words.

Vennell, of Liddington Way, and 26-year-old Carpenter, of Frome Road, had been drinking in Trowbridge bars during the night, but were stopped by doormen from going into Chicago Rock Caf just after midnight.

Minutes later a verbal row erupted between the pair and Mr Bateman, who had been inside drinking with friends.

Mr Thomas said the sales rep suffered a broken jawbone, leaving him with a permanent metal plate to repair the damage.

He was unable to eat solid food for three weeks and lost his job as a result of his injuries.

Tony McGeorge, representing Vennell, said his client had grossly misjudged the situation, and panicked after being struck by Mr Bateman first.

Vennell's Royal Naval commanding officer John Cleeve said the 27-year-old had a promising career ahead and an unblemished military record, having taken part in operations in Kosovo with the British Army.

Virginia Cornwall, represent- ing Carpenter, said a jail term would have a catastrophic effect on his life.

Both men had admitted a charge of grievous bodily harm at a previous hearing.

Judge Cutler said he was sure everyone in court had been shocked by the video footage.

"It is my unhappy duty to indicate there is no alternative. There must be a custodial sentence against each of you," he said.