A DRUNK man who punched a soldier in the head during a late night fight outside a Colchester nightclub has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Troy Williams had been ejected from the Silk Road club when he became involved in a fight after taking offence at racial abuse and advances being made towards his girlfriend, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

After being knocked to the ground by the victim, Williams got to his feet and broke free from people who were trying to hold him back and punched the victim in the head causing him to fall to the ground.

The victim was then allegedly kicked in the head twice by Keyoshe Robinson, 22, who was later found dead on a golf course in Bermuda.

Sebastian Cox, prosecuting, said the victim of the Colchester attack suffered a bleed to the brain but it was impossible to say when the injury occurred and which of the defendants had caused it.

He said the victim, who had also suffered bruising during the attack, had made a good recovery from the brain injury.

The court heard that Robinson had not faced prosecution as following the attack he had gone to Bermuda where police had launched a murder investigation in May after his body was found on a golf course with a gunshot wound to the head.

After his arrest Williams told police he had been knocked to the ground by the victim and had hit him in self-defence.

Williams, 25, of De Grey Road, Colchester, admitted unlawful wounding and was given a 20 week prison sentence suspended for 24 months.

He was also ordered to do 120 hours unpaid work and a 40 day rehabilitation activity requirement.

Steven Dyble, for Williams, said the victim, who was a serving soldier, and his friends had taken an interest in Williams’ girlfriend and this had caused some tension.

He said CCTV footage showed Williams initially being knocked to the ground.

He had admitted the charge of unlawful wounding because instead of walking away at that point he lost his temper and ran back and punched the victim.