A MAN who hoped to become a police officer has pleaded guilty to an attack on a former friend outside a pub.

Alan Owen, 43, a Ministry of Defence security officer at the Army Foundation College, in Harrogate, hoped to join the ministry's police force, the town's magistrates court heard.

Yesterday, he pleaded guilty to assaulting Allan Tennant after the pair left a bar in Crescent Road, Harrogate.

Stephanie Waite, prosecuting, said Mr Tennant, 44, was among the last to leave and saw Owen outside a shop.

As he walked past, he heard a comment about being a liar but ignored it.

Owen, of Pinemoor Caravan Park, Killinghall, Harrogate, punched Mr Tennant and kicked him repeatedly when he fell to the ground, said Mrs Waite. When his victim ran back towards the pub, Owen continued his attack.

The two men were pulled apart and Mr Tennant was taken to Harrogate District Hospital where he was detained overnight because of concerns about a head injury.

Geoffrey Rogers, mitigating, said Owen's version of the incident was different.

He said Owen saw Mr Tennant being assaulted and went to help.

He was accused of starting the trouble and lost his temper, said Mr Tennant.

Owen was ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid community work and pay his victim £350 compensation for his injuries and £25 for damage to his jacket and watch.

Costs of £100 were also ordered.