A FORMER soldier jailed for life for repeated violent offences had his sentence quashed because one attack was carried out in Germany when he was stationed there.

Shaun Peter Saunders, 27, was handed the life term after slashing a man in Burnley with a knife.

But top judges revoked the sentence imposed under the "two strikes and you're out" policy because a glass attack in Germany was committed outside the jurisdiction of the English courts.

Saunders, of Kyan Street, Burnley, was jailed at Burnley Crown Court in May 2004 after he pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and affray.

But London's Criminal Appeal Court has ruled Saunders did not qualify for the life term and handed him a conventional seven-and-half year jail term.

He was also given a five-year extended licence period during which he can be recalled to prison if he puts a foot wrong after his release.

Mr Justice Bean, sitting with Lord Justice Gage and Judge Goldsack, said: "Saunders would only qualify for the (life) sentence if the offences were committed in England and Wales."

Saunders was handed the life term after attacking his victim Clinton Cavaney at his home in Burnley in November 2003.

The former soldier slashed Mr Cavaney's legs and arms, said Mr Justice Bean, with what looked like a machete.

The attack occurred four months after Saunders had clashed with Mr Cavaney at a Burnley nightclub and the ex-soldier was charged with affray.

Mr Justice Bean said Saunders was in 1998 court martialled for wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm when he served in Germany and was given 10 months in a Young Offenders' Institution.

Three years later he received a two-year term for wounding and Mr Justice Bean said both offences involved "extreme violence" using a glass.

However, the first offence in Germany should not have been taken into account when imposing the life sentence because it was committed outside England and Wales, said the appeal judge.

Quashing the life term, Mr Justice Bean said: "We conclude that the sentencing judge lacked jurisdiction to impose a life sentence."