A ROYAL Marine could face jail after he left an RNLI lifesaver with a broken eye socket and nose in an assault in Exmouth. Tom Knight, of Belle Vue Road, admitted to inflicting grievous bodily harm in an incident in The Strand last June, Exeter Magistrate

A ROYAL Marine could face jail after he left an RNLI lifesaver with a broken eye socket and nose in an assault in Exmouth.

Tom Knight, of Belle Vue Road, admitted to inflicting grievous bodily harm in an incident in The Strand last June, Exeter Magistrates Court heard last week.

The court heard Knight, 20, headbutted and punched RNLI lifesaver Callum Treharne.

Prosecutor, Neil Lawson, said it was early in the morning when two small groups of young men, who knew each other, met in the street.

But Knight, who has no previous convictions, claimed Mr Treharne, 20, had said "who do you think you are so hard, are you getting cocky?"

Knight then attacked Mr Treharne before setting off home.

Robert Newman, defending, said Knight was trained to "deal in difficult situations in a peaceful and positive way but added "clearly what happened on the particular evening was not appropriate.

"This has clearly blighted his career and he regrets that very much."

Knight had recently returned from fighting against the Taliban in Afghanistan.

The magistrates ordered pre-sentence reports and said Knight could face six months in jail when he is sentenced next month.