A Suffolk soldier sexually assaulted a nurse on the dance floor at an Ipswich nightclub and then assaulted three of her colleagues who were dancing nearby, it has been alleged.

A Suffolk soldier sexually assaulted a nurse on the dance floor at an Ipswich nightclub and then assaulted three of her colleagues who were dancing nearby, it has been alleged.

Richard Bennett, of the Air Assault Regiment, had been at the Fire and Ice premises in Tacket Street, Ipswich and was allegedly seen to be unsteady on his feet and acting inappropriately to women on the dance floor, Ipswich Crown Court was told.

Lindsay Cox, prosecuting, claimed that Bennett had grabbed a 31-year-old nurse by her crotch with both hands from behind and had pulled her against his groin.

The nurse had sworn at Bennett and pushed him away before leaving the dance floor.

Another nurse saw Bennett approaching her on the dance floor and told him “no” before taking hold of his arm and “propelling” him away from her, said Mr Cox.

Bennett had allegedly responded by hitting her on the arm.

Another nurse, who had seen Bennett allegedly acting inappropriately to other members of her group, saw him approaching her and told him she wasn't interested.

As she turned her back on him he had allegedly pushed her causing to stagger into someone else. She had then allegedly seen him shove one of her friends sufficiently hard to knock her to the floor and then kick her while she was on the ground.

A DJ became aware of something happening on the dance floor and had allegedly seen a woman on the ground with Bennett standing over her.

Bennett, 21, of Army Barracks, Woodbridge, has denied sexual assault, assault causing actual bodily harm and two offences of assault by beating on January 29 this year.

Mr Cox said Bennett told police he'd been assaulted by a woman who scratched his neck and he had pushed her away.

He claimed that some other women had joined in and he had pushed them away as well. He denied punching or kicking anyone and said he had been acting in self-defence when he pushed the women away.

The trial continues today.