A FORMER soldier blamed post traumatic stress disorder for his involvement in two offences of violence.

Blackburn magistrates heard in the first Mark Michael Geoghan smashed pub windows with a bar stool.

The second occurred outside Accrington Stanley's ground after a match when Geoghan threw a stone at a police van and then behaved aggressively towards officers.

Geoghan, 31, of Aitken Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to two charges of criminal damage and one of threatening behaviour.

He was made subject to a community order for nine months with 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement.

He was ordered to pay £480 compensation for the damage to the pub windows and £500 for the damage to the police van.

He was banned from the pub for two months and made subject to a football banning order for three years.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said Geoghan was a man who had served his country and been traumatised as a result of that.

"Since he left the army he has found it difficult to cope at times," said Mr Taylor.

"The incident at the football ground was as a result of alcohol and him finding himself in a highly charged situation."