A RAF serviceman knocked two strangers out cold in a drink-fuelled attack in Ormskirk while on leave, a court has heard.

But Ryan Cameron, who has seen active service in Afghanistan, walked free from court after a judge who said that an immediate custodial sentence “would not serve this country.”

Cameron’s distinguished career hangs in the balance, however, as it is up the RAF whether he is allowed to remain in the service.

28-year-old Cameron, who is based at Lossiemouth in Scotland, but was on leave seeing family and friends in West Lancashire , admitted serious charges of inflicting grievous bodily harm and wounding, and was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment suspended for two years.

Judge Robert Warnock, who expressed “straight forward admiration for the work you do overseas,” also ordered him to pay £2,500 compensation to one victim and £1,000 to the other.

He said Cameron did not require rehabilitation. “You know what you have to do - stop drinking so much. If they (RAF) retain your services they will address such matters if necessary.”

Henry Riding, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court that in the early hours of April 26 last year Cameron and his brother were in the Mustard club in Ormskirk , as were the victims, Mark Williams and David Crouch.

One of the victims’s friends bought four drinks and after taking two to friends he returned to the bar and found that Cameron, who had been next to him at the bar, had taken them for himself and his brother.

They agreed to buy replacements but an altercation started and Cameron and his brother “had a go” before friends intervened and door staff ejected them. Mr Williams was also ejected as he had been mistaken for his friend who had bought the drinks and just after he left his friend Mr Crouch also went outside.

“As Mr Williams was walking towards him, not aggressively, the defendant then decked him with his left hand and the punch knocked him out cold,“ said Mr Riding.

Two police officers who were nearby speaking to door staff ran towards Cameron but could not control him and when Mr Crouch approached he was struck in exactly the same way.

Cameron was restrained after being threatened with CS gas being used.

Mr Williams suffered multiple mid-face fractures and Mr Crouch suffered bleeding on the brain but has fortunately recovered, the court heard.

Nicholas Walker, defending, said that Cameron, who has been in the RAF for seven years, had been commended for his services at Camp Bastion during a tour of duty in Afghanistan, which included repatriation of bodies and clearing up after insurgent attacks. He is about to sent to Estonia, if his service are retained, he added.

Judge Warnock told Cameron, who has no previous convictions, that he had been “exceedingly drunk” and combined with his boxing ability and physical size it resulted in him seriously injuring two “perfectly innocent by-standers”.

He said his behaviour had been “wholly and totally unacceptable and was disgraceful. “

His actions had had financial repercussions for his victims, who have also been left physically scarred.