THREE soldiers beat a man to the ground and landed 20 blows on him during a “sustained” attack, a court has heard.

Tom Wainwright, Mathew Haigh and Grant Barrow are accused of affray after a fight broke out in Colchester High Street in the early hours of the morning.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard the trio had been out in the town in the lead up the alleged attack, on February 6.

Magistrates also heard as the fracas unfolded, Royal Military Police officers arrived on the scene.

Stephen Sparkes, prosecuting, said Wainwright then set upon two of the officers.

Mr Sparkes added: “This was a sustained affray by three soldiers.

“The victim was hit over 20 times while on the floor and the men were using their feet as weapons.

“As Royal Military Police officers tried to intervene, they too were attacked by Mr Wainwright.”

The three soldiers appeared in the dock wearing suit trousers, shirts and ties during a ten-minute hearing yesterday.

Wainwright, 23, of Merville Barracks, in Circular Road South, Colchester, is charged with one count of affray and two counts of assault.

He did not enter a plea to any of the charges.

Haigh, 21, also of Merville Barracks, faces one count of affray.

He too entered no plea yesterday.

Barrow, 25, who lives in Colchester barracks, is charged with one count of affray.

He did not enter a plea.

The trio will next appear at Chelmsford Crown Court next month for a plea hearing.

All three men were released on unconditional bail.