80 hours for army hopeful

A TEENAGER who admitted assaulting two people has been given a minimal sentence after claiming he wants to join the armed forces.

Dean Kerr, 18, from Broomhouse Court, pleaded guilty to the two separate incidents on March 22, 2009, both in the Sighthill area.

He was charged with punching a man repeatedly on the head and body to his injury, and later assaulting a second man by also punching him repeatedly on the head and body.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court, he was sentenced to 80 hours of community service - the minimum amount - to allow him to apply for the army as soon as possible.

Sheriff James Scott said: "The armed forces could teach a young man like you how to behave responsibly."