A TEENAGE squaddie has been fined after throwing a ‘haymaker’ punch that left his victim in hospital.

Dean Walker, based at MOD Lyneham, admitted attacking reveller Nathan Richards in the early hours of October 7 in Swindon.

Swindon magistrates heard the 18-year-old threw two punches at the other man between 2.15 am and 2.35am on Fleet Street, near Korky’s Grill.

Pauline Lambert, prosecuting, said that the solder had been out drinking with friends in the town centre when the attack happened: “Mr Walker shouted and swore towards the victim’s group,” she said.

The other group told Walker to leave them alone.

But Walker approached Mr Richards, flooring him with a single punch.

The assault was of “such force it caused him to fall straight to the floor and he was left unconscious,” Ms Lambert told magistrates.

“He sustained a large bruise to his head.”

Paramedics attended the scene and treated the victim.

Mr Richards returned home but later went to the Royal United Hospital, Bath, after waking up in the morning suffering convulsions and vomiting.

Ms Lambert said when interviewed by police, Walker claimed he had acted in self-defence. She said: “He said in his interview he saw a punch being thrown, then threw a one in self-defence.”

“He says he’s a "happy drunk" and what happened that evening was out of character for him.”

But CCTV footage showed Walker throwing two punches at Mr Richards.

Ms Lambert added there was “no necessity for the punch”.

Walker, who chose to defend himself, said he had nothing to add to the prosecution’s account of the evening.

He pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm.

The soldier’s platoon commander Michelle Scott said of Walker: “We’ve had no problem with him so far.

“It’s completely out of character, what he’s done.”

The officer told the court that the army would attach a note of Walker’s conviction to his official army record.

The nature of any army action against Walker would depend on the punishment handed out by magistrates, she said.

However, the bench was told Walker’s conviction could affect his future chances of promotion.

Swindon magistrates fined Walker £350 and ordered him to pay £250 in compensation.

He was also instructed to pay a £35 victim surcharge and costs of £85.