A soldier who had been drinking attacked a woman caterer at an RAF base and held a breadknife to her throat.

Oxford Crown Court heard yesterday that Christopher John, 18, of the Royal Horse Artillery, was at RAF Brize Norton on May 1 when the violent attack took place.

The court was told John, who is now stationed at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire, went into a kitchen at Brize Norton late at night following an evening's drinking.

He then picked up a breadknife, crept up behind the woman and held it to her throat.

She thought she was about to be murdered, the court heard, and forced the knife away with her hands, cutting them in the process. John pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding but the judge, Recorder Linehan, said he was not prepared to sentence him without a psychiatric report.

The judge told John: "You are an intelligent man and up until this incident you had shown yourself to be a responsible person.

"You had also earned the admiration of those who served with you. Anyone reading about this incident must have the gravest concerns that, for reasons hidden at the moment, you present a risk.

"You should not be sentenced without establishing whether you are a risk to the public."

John was released on bail after sentencing was adjourned for six weeks. Recorder Linehan bailed him on the condition that he should not buy or consume alcohol.

The judge also asked that his commanding officer should monitor his use of firearms.

"Your commanding officer must pay attention as to whether it is sensible to train with firearms and live ammunition," he said.