A SOLDIER in uniform assaulted a man who was sitting on the pavement talking to his girlfriend.

Blackburn magistrates heard the victim claimed Adrian Thomas Hardy had kicked him with his “shiny, black army boots”.

But Hardy claimed he had only punched the other man after he made a comment as he had walked past. Hardy, 21, of Dukes Brow, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assault.

The case was adjourned for a hearing when evidence will be called to establish the facts of the incident. Ian Huggan, defending, said that the defendant’s platoon com-mander had attended court with Hardy.

“He served with him in Iraq for six months and speaks very highly of my client,” said Mr Huggan.

“Whatever happens in this court he will be punished by the army and that will be all the worse because he was in uniform at the time of the incident.”

He said Hardy denied kicking the other man and pleaded guilty on the basis that he had punched him.