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AN army veteran broke a passer-by's tooth after attacking him in Hereford. 

Hereford Magistrates Court heard that Richard Davies was pulling his partner after they were walking home from a party in the city on July 28, 2023.

A witness intervened, but Davies took exception to his actions and punched him.

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"The injury caused was a broken tooth," said prosecuting solicitor, Tom Wickstead.

"He struck once, he falls back, he struck again."

Davies pleaded guilty to one count of assault by beating and one count of assaulting a person thereby occasioning actual bodily harm when he appeared at Hereford Magistrates Court.

Representing Davies, Andrew Cleal said his client "is a gentleman of exemplary good character", with the incident heavily fuelled by alcohol.

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"He served 16 years in the army, 10 years in the Parachute Regiment," said Mr Cleal.

"A number of his close colleagues were killed. He's been in the security services for five years on shipping lines keeping pirates off.

"He is a man who has lived life to the full."

Mer Cleal added that Davies is struggling with his mental health and is doing his best to address it,

"He is deeply remorseful and ashamed by this incident. He cannot remember it but accepts he had been drinking a lot."

Magistrates asked for a probation report. Davies has been asked to return to Hereford Magistrates Court on April 9 when he will be sentenced.