A ‘DRUNKEN’ soldier attacked a lifeguard leaving him with serious brain injuries just hours after returning from service in Afghanistan.

Shaun Laurie, 20, delivered a single unprovoked punch to Billy Priestley outside Lava and Ignite nightclub in Burnley after an earlier incident inside the club.

Mr Priestley was knocked unconscious, temporarily lost his sight, had trouble speaking and also suffered number dyslexia.

He was told not to drive for six months and was off work from the leisure centre where he works for some time, magistrates heard.

Despite his injuries, Mr Priestley told police he knew his assailant had just returned from a tour of duty and did not want the incident to cost Laurie his army career.

Laurie, who has twice served in Afghanistan, could be discharged from the forces if he is jailed, or receives a suspended custodial sentence, the court heard.

The defendant of Hapton Road, Padiham admitted grievous bodily harm and was committed on bail to Burnley Crown Court for sentence on November 13.

The bench told him Mr Priestley’s injuries had the potential to have been life threatening, and said their powers of punishment were not sufficient.

Andrew Robinson, prosecuting, said in the early hours of July 17 the defendant and victim had been asked to leave the nightclub due to their drunken behaviur.

Laurie was stood next to Priestley outside and hit him once in the face.

Mr Priestley fell straight into the road, hit his head on the pavement and was knocked unconscious, the prosecutor said.

The victim was taken to hospital but refused treatment and discharged himself. But during the weekend his condition deter-iorated and he started to have headaches, was vomiting and lost his speech and control of his facial muscles.

He had bruising to the brain and although he was expected to fully recover it may be some months, Mr Robinson said.

Sara Lyle, defending Laurie, said he would be dealt with by the Army for having bought the armed forces into disrepute.

She told the court that Laurie, who serves in an armed reconnaissance unit in Norfolk, returned from Afghanistan the day before for two weeks’ leave.

She said: “Very close friends of his have lost their lives.

"That clearly has had an impact on this young man.”