AN Army recruit who quit after three months told a court martial yesterday he was punched, kicked and kneed in the groin by his training instructors.

Former Rifleman Thomas Pearson complained that two corporals ill-treated him and a colour sergeant ignored the assaults, despite being present when one of them took place.

Four Army instructors on trial at RAF Aldergrove face a total of 19 charges over alleged bullying and ill-treatment of recruits between October 2007 and February 2008 at the UK’s largest military base at Catterick, in North Yorkshire.

The men are now all serving in Northern Ireland.

The accused are: Colour Sergeant Michael Hetherington, of the 1st Battalion The Rifles, Corporals Henry Sanday, Stuart Pagett and Paul Jakeman, all of the 2nd Battalion The Rifles.

Mr Pearson, 20, said he had been assaulted by Cpls Pagett and Jakeman, who were his section commanders.

He told the court martial that, on one occasion, when his locker was being inspected he was assaulted by Cpl Pagett.

‘‘I was punched in the stomach by Cpl Pagett. I had done something wrong so I was taught a lesson.

I fell to my knee, it made me feel slightly ill, but I recovered.’’ Mr Pearson, who discharged himself after 12 weeks, said Sgt Hetherington, who was in the room, asked him if he was okay.

On another occasion, the same corporal kicked him in the side while he was doing press- ups, he said.

On a further occasion he said his head was pushed against a door frame by Cpl Jakeman.

He said on week ten of the training he was on a run around the base and was pulled along for about 20 metres by his helmet strap by Cpl Jakeman .

He said: “I went down on my knee to try and get my breath back and I was told to get back up.

I was hit twice in the face by Cpl Jakeman.’’ On a further occasion, he claimed Cpl Jakeman pushed him against a wall and kneed him twice in the groin.

He said he later told Sgt Hetherington, who said he would have words with the corporal.

But days later Cpl Jakeman kicked him in the head after he was asked to assume the pressup position.

Challenged on whether he had made up the entire catalogue of events he said: "I have not made up any of it."

The case was adjourned until Monday.