AN ex-soldier attacked his regular cabbie after an early hours dispute over a fare, Burnley magistrates heard.

Edward Paul Walsh, 42, who suffered post traumatic stress syndrome after service in Northern Ireland, punched victim Mohammed Shaffi in the eye and then hit him again in the unprovoked melee.

Walsh, of Chiltern Avenue, Burnley, admitted assault on February 26.

He was fined £200 with £442.59 compensation and £75 costs.

The bench said the victim had suffered physical and mental harm.

Sue Campbell, prosecuting, told the court Walsh, his brother and a couple got in the taxi at The Fighting Cocks in Cliviger and a row broke out about the fare.

The defendant's brother started to get physical with Mr Shaffi, who stopped the car.

All got out and Walsh's brother became even more aggressive. Mr Shaffi ran off and was chased.

Mrs Campbell said Walsh was standing on the pavement and the victim ran to him thinking he would stop the trouble.

Instead Walsh punched him in the eye and hit him several times.

Other passengers broke up the fracas and a nearby resident called police.

Nick Cassidy, defending, said Walsh and friends had been to a 21st birthday and he was very drunk. Walsh hoped to be able to apologise to Mr Shaffi personally.

The defendant served in Northern Ireland from 1980 and 1994 and was discharged from the army because of depression. He had sought help for post traumatic stress syndrome.

Walsh volunteered to pay the victim compensation.