Three brothers who viciously attack two soldiers on a night out in Maidstone have been locked up for what a judge called "a nasty piece of public disorder".

Jack, Leonard and Sam Fuller set about Royal Engineers squaddies Jason Perry and Lee Stockton - and a doorman was also assaulted when he intervened.

Mr Perry suffered a fractured cheekbone and needed specialist treatment at the Queen Victoria Hospital, in East Grinstead.

Sam Fuller, of Bourner Cottages, Digdog Lane, Frittenden, was sentenced to 21 months' youth custody; Leonard Fuller, of Camp Way, Maidstone, to 15 months; and Jack Fuller, 19, also of Camp Way, to four months.

Judge Charles Byers told the trio: "The public are rightly concerned about the behaviour of young people in this area. It has become all too common I have discovered since I have been sitting at this court.

"It is young people who have been fuelled by drink. They need to be told what will happen. In one document I read one individual had spent in the region of £50 on drink."

Prosecutor Crispian Cartwright said the two victims and the Fullers had all been to the Source Bar on February 1 this year. There was an altercation and the brothers were asked to leave.

Mr Perry and Mr Stockton left and walked off, but 20-year-old Sam Fuller went after them and punched Mr Stockton. Mr Perry grabbed hold of Fuller and Leonard Fuller, 19, became involved.

Mr Stockton was pulled to the ground and stamped on. Jack Fuller, 19, grabbed hold of Mr Perry, Mr Cartwright told Maidstone Crown Court.

"The public are rightly concerned about the behaviour of young people in this area. It has become all too common I have discovered since I have been sitting at this court..." - Judge Charles Byers

"Bar staff came out and attempted to break things up," he said. "They were also assaulted by the Fullers and there was a general fight. Police arrived."

Mr Cartwright said Mr Stockton had a black eye, footprint marks on his face, a sprained thumb and nerve damage to his face. Doorman Alex Elston was also injured.

Mr Stockton and Mr Perry told how they been deeply affected by the attack and were now nervous of going out at night.

Sam Fuller admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm, causing actual bodily harm and common assault, Leonard Fuller admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and Jack Fuller admitted common assault.

Passing sentence, Judge Byers said: "This was a nasty piece of disorder. You were all involved in your own ways in an incident that left more disciplined young men injured as a result and possibly with long-term effects.

"Their careers could have been affected by what you did. It is never right for young people or older people to sort out their differences with violence.

"I regard it as an aggravating feature that all three of you had far too much to drink. The sentence must punish you for what you have done and send out a clear message to those who would act as you did - that it will be punished by proper punishment."

The judge said the brothers were of good character and capable of "good hard work".

Andrew Lewis, for Sam Fuller, said there had to be a custodial sentence but submitted it could be suspended.

Fuller was a qualified farrier but was working for a firm moving mobile homes.

"It tells the court something about this young man," said Mr Lewis. "It was a nasty incident and it is to his credit he recognises it. It is a hopeful sign for the future. The court can be confident this is a young man who has got the message."

Mr Lewis said Jack Fuller was the least involved and it would be wrong for him to be tainted by "everything around him". He had been left in no doubt there could be no repetition.

Rose Burns, for Leonard Fuller, said the jobless teenager had an eight-month-old son and another child on the way.

"The prospect of him being incarcerated is terrifying," she said. "He had perceived that his brothers were under attack. That's why he joined in. It was unforgivable. He is very sorry."

Miss Burns urged the judge to follow a recommendation in a report for a suspended sentence with unpaid work.