A trainee soldier launched two separate assaults on men during a night out in Cambridge. Dominic Hutter, of Top Street, Stretham, walked up to a stranger in a group and punched him in the neck. Four minutes later, he started a fight with another group of people. Before Cambridge magistrates he admitted two counts of threatening and abusive words and behaviour with intent to cause fear.

The 22-year-old had been drinking with a friend, Scott Thomas, early on December 4 when he was caught on CCTV in Sidney Street.

Paul Brown, prosecuting, said: “The CCTV shows Mr Hutter is accompanied by Mr Thomas and they both go up to a group of men. Mr Hutter suddenly punches one of the unknown men in the side of the neck. “The victim rubbed his neck and walked slowly away. Mr Hutter was said to be staring at him as he walked off.

“About five minutes later Mr Hutter and Mr Thomas go up to another group of both men and women this time. Mr Thomas seems to be pacing around making repetitive gestures to these individuals as if goading them into a fight. “Mr Hutter seems to be getting on with the group but an exchange of
words leads to Mr Aston Wildespin squaring up to Mr Hutter and Mr Thomas. “The person who throws the first punch is Mr Hutter.”

A fight between Hutter, Mr Thomas, Mr Wildespin and another man, Damongsak Phasawang, then takes place, with Hutter ending up on the ground being kicked a number of times. Mr Wildespin and Mr Phasawang flee.
They and Mr Thomas have already been sentenced. Thomas and Wilderspin got three-month curfews and Phasawang got 120 hours’ unpaid work. They must each pay £70 costs. Nicole Yates, mitigating, said: “It’s a shameful episode of behaviour on Mr Hutter’s part. He is very ashamed of his behaviour on that occasion. He has hardly drunk since the incident occurred.” She added that his behaviour in the Army was “exemplary”.

Tony Birks, presiding magistrate, fined him £365, plus costs of £70 and a victim surcharge of £15.

After the hearing, Andrew Baxter, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for the East of England, said: “This incident involving these men will have terrified everyone who witnessed it. “Such behaviour on our streets cannot be tolerated.”