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Two Royal Marines have been branded cowards for attacking a clubber when she refused one of them a dance at a fancy dress party.

Thomas Hogan, 24, dressed as Morph, threw Olivia Cole down and stamped on her head before Ryan Byrne, in a Scooby Doo outfit, punched her in the face when she fled the nightclub in distress.

At Plymouth crown court, Judge Francis Gilbert told the men they were “totally and utterly cowardly and a disgrace to their corps”.

He said Hogan could have killed Miss Cole, who suffered bruising at the city’s Reflex club in November.

But the judge spared them both jail so they could return to Olympic security duty.

(Image: MSI)

He said it was up to the corps if they kept their jobs.

Hogan, of Bickleigh Camp, Devon, admitted common assault and Byrne, 21, of Liverpool, admitted assault causing ABH.

Both must pay £1,000 in fines and compensation.