A SOLDIER has been banned from late nights out in Hereford during his Christmas leave period.

Cory Gammage, 24, of Highmore Street, Hereford, was handed a curfew after pleading guilty to the common assault of Joseph Price.

Amy Davies, prosecuting at Hereford Magistrates Court last week, said that on October 23, Gammage had been out in Hereford city centre with friends. He left the Wellington at midnight before walking through the city centre in search of food.

He approached a group, including the victim, and then threw a punch at the victim's friend. The punch missed and Gammage fell over.

Gammage then went towards the victim hitting him in the face and causing him to stumble before falling down.

The victim suffered a bloody nose.

On interview the defendant said that words were exchanged between a group of males and he had punched one of them.

He said that he had been drinking all day and was too drunk to remember all of it. He said: 'I'm an idiot'.

CCTV evidence showed three males being followed before words were exchanged and hand gestures towards one of the group.

"CCTV clearly shows this was an unprovoked attack and not an act of self-defence," said Mrs Davies.

Emma Thorne, mitigating, said that Gammage had been out drinking to excess with friends.

"As they left the pub at midnight words were exchanged between the two groups and he accepts punching a male from the opposing group," said Mrs Thorne.

"He regrets the action and if he had not been drinking it wouldn't have happened. He will receive his own punishment from his employers. He is an asset to the army and they wouldn't like to lose him."

The court heard that Gammage was based in Wiltshire but would be returning to Hereford during Christmas leave.

District Judge Nigel Cadbury imposed a community curfew order from 8pm to 7am for when Gammage returned to Hereford between December 16 and January 14.

"I'm not having you going out and getting drunk over Christmas and New Year in Hereford and assaulting anybody else," said Judge Cadbury.

"This will substantially curtail your time out and about during time on leave and will be quite a punishment for you considering your looking forward to your time on leave."

Gammage was also ordered to pay £50 compensation to Mr Price, £135 costs and a £85 victim surcharge.