Police had to use CS spray on a former soldier after he was found banging on a neighbour’s door with a knife in his hand.

Richard Dowgill, 27, of Alma Grove, Shipley pleaded guilty to affray when he appeared at Bradford Crown Court yesterday.

The court heard how Dowgill, who now works as a self-employed security device fitter, had been a distinguished soldier winning medals for his service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But the father-of-one snapped after his partner found out he had been having a relationship behind her back and when he heard neighbours talking about it, he went round to their flat in Leeds Road, Windhill, to remonstrate with them.

Dowgill was sentenced to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work in the community and to pay prosecution costs of £240.

Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC told him: "You made a serious personal mistake. You are a hard working and now dedicated family man. You owe your partner a great deal of gratitude. This must not happen again.”