Shropshire soldier broke man's jaw in two places, court told
A Shropshire soldier has appeared in court accused of breaking a man's jaw in two places after a drunken argument in a kebab house.
Stephen Moore, a Royal Irish Ranger stationed at Clive Barracks, Tern Hill, denied grievous bodily harm at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday at the start of what is expected to be a three-day trial.
Kevin Jones, prosecuting, said Moore, 27, had been out drinking with friends in Market Drayton, when they met up with another group of people at Zilan kebab house on High Street.
When Thomas Tapley, the man Moore is accused of assaulting, arrived at the kebab house, it was claimed Moore and his friends had made sexual comments towards one of his female friends. When told to leave her alone, Moore's group said they had fought for their country and asked what Mr Tapley's friends had done, Mr Jones said.
When Mr Tapley's friends stood their ground and swore at the group, Moore hit Mr Tapley, Mr Jones said.
Moore denied acting aggressively or making sexual comments. Mr Jones said CCTV footage would be shown to the jury.
"Mr Tapley was not in the face of this defendant – rather he (Moore) stepped forward and struck with all his might," he said.
"He introduced the abuse, he introduced the aggression, so it's difficult for him to say it was in self defence."
The trail continues.
