A SOLDIER suffered a broken nose when he was punched outside a pub, a court heard.

At Bolton Crown Court, Eleanor Gleeson, prosecuting, said victim George Barker was drinking with his girlfriend at The Black Horse on Bury Road, Bolton. They went outside for a cigarette when a car drove past with someone shouting something at the couple.

The court was shown CCTV footage that showed the car reversing back to the pub before Mr Barker walked over to the driver’s side and could be seen talking to the occupant.

Adam Jackson, 27, then got out of the car and aimed a single punch which hit the army cadet in the face before he got back in the vehicle and drove off. Mr Barker needed seven stitches and had a broken nose.

Jackson, of Ashdene Crescent, Bolton, was later arrested and told police Mr Barker had approached the car “shouting and swearing” and he had punched him in self-defence.

Ms Gleeson added that Jackson, who admitted causing grievious bodily harm, had six previous convictions for seven offences.

Recorder Ciaran Rankin handed him a 12-month sentence suspended for two years and ordered him to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work. He will also pay £1,000 compensation to Mr Barker.