A FORMER soldier who had been attending a regimental reunion in Gloucestershire launched a totally unprovoked attack on two men he was talking to in a pub.

Blackburn magistrates were shown CCTV footage of Lee Tattersall head butting one man and then the other as they stood talking.

The victims said there was no warning and they couldn't believe what had happened.

Tattersall, 47, of Bluebell Grove, Burnley, pleaded guilty to assaulting Nial Macdonald causing him actual bodily harm and assaulting Gary Fraser.

He was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison suspended for 18 months, made subject to a curfew for 20 weeks between 9 pm and 5 am and ordered to pay £400 compensation to Mr Macdonald, £100 to Mr Fraser, £85 costs and £115 victim surcharge.

Nick Cassidy, defending, said his client had been in the army medical corps between 1986 and 2000 and had served in the Gulf, Kosova and Northern Ireland.

"When soldiers were injured he was on the front line and has seen things I can only dream about," said Mr Cassidy.

"He has had difficulties since his release and accepts he has anger management issues."