TWO soldiers who stopped for a chat on their way home after a night out in Leigh were both set upon in an unprovoked attack, a court heard.

One of them, Martin Wilkinson, who, like his companion, was knocked unconscious in the attack, needed hospital treatment for a fractured jaw.

His friend, Christopher Logan, suffered bruising to his head.

The violent incident was captured on CCTV cameras on February 18, 2006, and played to Liverpool Crown Court during the sentencing hearing of their attackers, Paul Rogers and Douglas Wood.

Rogers, aged 23, who punched, kicked and stamped on Mr Wilkinson, was jailed for 16 months, and Wood, aged 21, who pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Logan causing actual bodily harm, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment suspended for two years.

Wood, a window cleaner, of Penine Avenue, Golborne, was also ordered to pay £200 compensation to his victim and £250 prosecution costs.

Rogers, of Rycroft Road, Lowton, pleaded guilty to wounding Mr Wilkinson.

Judge Nigel Gilmour, QC, told Rogers, who has previous convictions though none for violence: "This was a disgraceful attack.

"You approached two drunken soldiers, you downed one of them and kicked and stamped on his head. You used your feet as a weapon."

Rogers and Walkmen were under the influence of drink and were remorseful for their behaviour, their defence said.