TWO soldiers were involved in an altercation with a group of Asian men .hile drinking in a town centre, a court heard yesterday.

Kye Revitt, 19, and Barry Hesketh, 21, who are both based at Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire, became involved in a fight with the men while in Darlington.

South Durham Magistrates' Court heard that the pair first ran into the group after drinking in Route 66, in the town's Commercial Street.

James Thomas, prosecuting, said the soldiers told police the altercation had started because the Asian men were shouting abuse at them.

The groups separated, but after the soldiers were refused entry into the Lounge bar they ran into the group of men in a town centre car park and a fight broke out.

Mr Thomas said Hesketh admitted punching and kicking one of the men, but told police it was in self defence.

Peter Bradford, for the soldiers, said: "There is no suggestion by these people or the police that this was a racially motivated incident."

He said that what had started as a verbal confrontation escalated into a physical one.

Both men, who have recently completed their first 12 weeks of training at Catterick, pleaded guilty to a charge of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

Magistrates fined both of them £150, plus £55 costs.

Bench chairwoman Eileen Anderson told them to grow up and said: "Drinking is no excuse for what happened at all."