A SERVING soldier from Hereford broke his brother-in-law's nose, a court has heard.

Simon Delaney, of Waggoners Way, pleaded guilty to assaulting a person thereby occasioning actual bodily harm when he appeared at Hereford Magistrates Court last month.

Prosecuting solicitor, Eleanor Peart, said the 46-year-old 'spun around and punched Roger Pinnell at 5pm on May 13. 

The attack, Ms Peart said, caused Mr Pinnell's face to be covered in blood, with a cut to his right eye and his nose swollen. 

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"His nose was broken but it was too swollen to be examined in Hereford," said Ms Peart

A letter supplied to the court by the ear, nose and throat (ENT) department said that Mr Pinnell sustained nasal defects, including extensive bruising to the skin on the left hand side. 

Reading a victim impact statement on behalf of Mr Pinnell, Ms Peart said that he doesn't go out as often as he used to. 

"I didn't work for two weeks after the incident because I didn't want my employees to me," he said. 

"The incident has impacted not just on but my family."

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In defence, Chris Reid said there had been issues between the two parties for many years.

"This was a chance meeting in the pub," said Mr Reid.

"CCTV shows Mr Delaney approaching his brother-in-law. Something has been said.

"He didn't approach him with the intention of using violence. He reacted and he threw the punch. 

"It is a single punch which connects with the left-hand side of Mr Pinnell's face.

"It's very clear in the culpability that there was no weapon, it was spontaneous, impulsive, and short-lived. He is still a serving soldier. He will be leaving the Army on November 2 after 23 years."

Magistrates have asked for a pre-sentence report to be drawn up prior to Delaney being sentenced on October 11.