AN alcoholic former solider accused of murdering a rough sleeper because he called him a “fake para” has never served in the world renowned parachute regiment.

Martin Dines, 56, died in St Mary’s Car Park in Balkerne Hill, Colchester, in April.

Mark Hartley, 32, is charged alongside Heidi Kennedy, 47, Darren Miller, 46, with his murder.

It is alleged Mr Dines was attacked in Head Street, Crouch Street and in the car park by the group because he had been accused of saying Hartley had never been in the regiment.

Giving evidence at Ipswich Crown Court, Hartley confirmed he had been in the First Battalion Scots Guards and had considered the training to move to the Parachute Regiment but was dishonourably discharged in 2010 after failing a drug test for cocaine.

READ MORE: Rough sleeper was 'killed over argument about Army credentials

Hartley initially claimed he had never claimed to be a paratrooper but accepted he may have said it if he had been drunk.

He said: “I remember coming out of The Bull [pub, in Crouch Street, Colchester] with a couple of Paratroopers.

“Maybe after a couple of drinks I might have said yes.

“But they never asked any questions about it.

“It was just a drunken thing.”

Hartley joined the Army in 2008 and completed his basic training in Catterick, North Yorkshire, before being sent to do ceremonial duties in London.

READ MORE: Rough sleeper Martin Dines suffered 73 wounds before he died

He then returned to Catterick before being deployed to Lashkargah in the Helmand Province in Afghanistan.

After returning to the UK, Hartley was stopped from going back on tour because of injury and depression. He was then discharged after the failed drugs test.

He said he intended to take on training which would have enabled him to move over but never started it.

Hartley was asked why he had a red beret, parachute regiment flag in his flat as as well as a Para tattoo.

He said the beret was not his, the flag was and the tattoo was just of wings – not the full regiment emblem.

Hartley said he knew Mr Dines as Frederick and had previously invited him to his flat and bought him pizza and beer.

He told the court he was “not that angry” about the fake para rumours because he knew it wasn’t true but was angry about further accusations allegedly coming from Mr Dines he had not been in the Army at all because he had helped him so much.

He said Miller had seemed more annoyed and wanted to find Mr Dines and his friend Lisa Peck.

Kennedy, of Queen Elizabeth Way, Colchester, Miller, of no fixed address, and Hartley, of New Kiln Road, Colchester, all deny murder.

But Miller has admitted to Mr Dines’ manslaughter while Kennedy has admitted assaulting Lisa Peck, a friend of Mr Dines, on the same night.

The trial continues...