SOLDIERS are being attacked by gangs of youths on the streets of Ripon, a court heard yesterday.

Harrogate magistrates heard that there had been a number of incidents involving soldiers from 38 Engineer Regiment, who are based at the city's Claro Barracks, before a corporal with an exemplary military record was provoked into retaliation.

Mark Pocock, 29, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour, but the court heard that six local youths had been lying in wait for him as he left the Hornblower Tavern, in Old Market Place, on a night in October.

Pocock's solicitor, Richard Buchanan, said two were outside the pub, two more were in a nearby alley with another pair round a corner near the bus station.

Mr Buchanan said Pocock was warned there was trouble ahead for him after he had an argument with Gary Metcalfe in the pub.

He had been asked by Mr Metcalfe to "sort it out" and had followed him outside, where there was a scuffle before bouncers intervened and called the police.

Mr Buchanan said the incident had been one of a number involving young people of both sexes who were out to antagonise Army personnel.

On one occasion, Pocock had been out with his girlfriend when a car had pulled up, and a youth jumped out and threatened him with a knife, telling him he was "a dead man".

Recently, the group involved in the October incident followed Pocock's every move as he spent a night at a club.

Mr Buchanan said there was considerable provocation in the case.

"There is a group who are notorious and who are causing an immense amount of difficulty in Ripon, and he was swept up in this," he said.

Pocock was fined £200 and ordered to pay £55 costs.