A LANCE corporal is today more than £300 out of pocket after a fight outside a nightclub.Michael Brown was involved in a scuffle outside Fire and Ice nightclub in Tacket Street, Ipswich, on September 30, and admitted behaving in a threatening manner when he appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court.

A LANCE corporal is today more than £300 out of pocket after a fight outside a nightclub.

Michael Brown was involved in a scuffle outside Fire and Ice nightclub in Tacket Street, Ipswich, on September 30, and admitted behaving in a threatening manner when he appeared at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court.

The court heard how Brown, from Low Etherley, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, was on a night out with other soldiers when a fight broke out in the club.

Prosecuting David Hutson said one of Brown's colleagues was dancing with a girlfriend of a man in another group and an argument broke out.

It was heard how Brown tried to launch himself at the doorman and missed, punching an unknown man as he was thrown out of the nightspot.

Mr Hutson said: “One of the doormen said this man was not the only one causing difficulties.

“This defendant was annoyed that other people had spoiled the evening.”

Mitigating, Ian Duckworth, said Brown, who has been in the army for six years and is currently on leave until January, explained that he and his colleagues were enjoying a “pleasant” evening before the trouble started.

Mr Duckworth said: “They all went outside where it carried on. He tried to get back into the club again. It was a bit of a mêlée. He has no previous convictions. It was nothing more than a tussle.”

Magistrates fined him £235, £60 in costs and £15 in victim surcharge.