A pair of soldiers have been jailed for launching an attack on a homeless man they thought spent money, they had given him, in a pub.

Daniel Openshaw and Michael Salter had been drinking heavily when they launched the brutal assault in Warminster town centre.

The pair will be drummed out of the army in disgrace as a result of their two-year, four-month sentences.

Openshaw, 23, and Salter, 22, punched beggar Aaron Allen then kicked him on the ground after attacking his father, John. They had come across both men in the street.

The soldiers said they saw Aaron begging as they went to the pub and gave money.

They claimed they later spotted him in the John Barl-eycorn, when they were drin-king. Seeing him later, in his sleeping bag, they attacked.

Claire Marlow, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court the October 3 incident at the Three Horseshoes Mall was caught on CCTV.

She said the men attacked Mr Allen senior, who was talking to his son, raining punches on him and throwing him to the ground. Open-shaw got on top of him and he suffered cracked ribs.

They took turns punching his son and, when he fell, landed heavy kicks to his face before casually walking off.

When questioned the men said they thought he was a con artist for going to the pub after being given cash.

Openshaw, of Bury, Lan-cashire, and Salter, of Wilton, Salisbury, each admitted two counts of actual bodily harm.

Rob Ross, for Openshaw, said he felt the victim took advantage of their generosity.

Mark Ashley, for Salter, said he had a specialist role in the forces and was the breadwinner for his wife and child.

Judge Tim Mousley QC said: “Anybody who watched that CCTV footage would be horrified by your appalling and disgraceful behaviour.

“I am satisfied it was your intention to cause more serious harm than you did. We all know that type of behaviour is the type that doesn’t just cause serious injury, but can cause death.”