A WINCHESTER soldier has been cleared of inflicting grievous bodily harm on a member of the public.

Corporal Sam Watt, 28, was acquitted by a jury at Portsmouth Crown Court for an alleged attack on Stephen Hurley last April.

Watt, stationed at Army Training Regiment Winchester, at Sir John Moore barracks, near Littleton, was cleared after a three-day trial.

He had earlier admitted a lesser charge of assault on Ross Atkinson on the same day.

Watt received a 12-month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £200 compensation to Mr Atkinson.