TWO soldiers have admitted affray after a fight broke out in Colchester High Street.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard in May a man had been beaten to the ground after 20 blows by three men.

Soldier Tom Wainwright, 23, admitted a count of affray and two counts of assault by beating at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday.

His colleague Mathew Haigh, 21, appeared alongside him in the dock and admitted one count of affray.

At a previous hearing, Colchester magistrates were told the soldiers had used their feet as weapons during the fight in February.

The magistrates court hearing was also told as the fracas unfolded, Royal Military Police officers arrived on the scene and Wainwright attacked them.

The pair, both from Colchester, were told they had been charged with affray due to using or threatening unlawful violence.

Co-defendant Grant Barrow, is also charged with affray. Barrow, 25, also from Colchester, denied the charge at Colchester Magistrates’ Court.

His trial is due to take place on November 6.

The court heard the trio had been out in town together leading up to the fight. The victim was hit more than 20 times while on the floor.

The plea and trial preparation hearing yesterday was overseen by Judge Charles Gratwicke.

He concluded the sentencing of Haigh and Wainwright will not be arranged at this time due to their work,and because the trial of their co-defendant is yet to take place.

The soldiers are due to be deployed overseas until December and it is likely they will be sentenced on their return.

They remain on unconditional bail until then.