FIVE soldiers from the North-East were granted bail yesterday after appearing before Lincoln Crown Court following an incident in which a man suffered serious injuries.

Neil Pentland, 19, is accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent and violent disorder.

Wayne Benson, 20, Paul Bennett, 22, Ross Gowland, 20, and John Little, 19, are all accused of violent disorder.

The five are all members of the Second Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, based at St George's Barracks, North Luffenham, Leicestershire.

They were arrested following an incident in the Red Lion Street area of Stamford on March 9, in which a 24-year-old man received serious head injuries.

All five are from the Tyne and Wear and County Durham areas.

They were each bailed on condition that they do not visit Stamford.

No pleas were taken and the hearing was adjourned until May.

A 24-year-old man is currently in the intensive care unit of Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge.

He has regained consciousness, having been in a coma and on a life support machine.