A WEYMOUTH Football Club player has admitted assaulting a taxi driver after a drinking session.

Terras reserve player Aarron Bastafield, 21, of Culliford Way, Weymouth, lashed out after being asked to leave a cab in the early hours, Weymouth magistrates heard.

The court was told he had jumped in the car in front of a waiting passenger, asking to be driven to an address in Littlemoor.

Gavin Foster, prosecuting, said the taxi driver was told he had the wrong customer some way into the journey and asked his passenger to leave.

Bastafield became aggressive, Mr Foster said, but reluctantly got out of the car.

Mr Foster said: "The driver went to get in the car and a struggle followed. Bastafield punched his head several times."

The driver, 54, was hit all over his head but managed to grab hold of Bastafield.

He fell to the ground, and three members of the public came to help, holding Bastafield down until police arrived.

Officers found a bloody Ben Sherman watch at the scene which belonged to the part-time footballer. Later he told police he thought he had drunk four or five pints and could only remember waking up in a police cell.

His wrist was cut and his shirt had blood on, the court was told.

Mr Foster read out a statement from the driver which said he had been left feeling vulnerable after the assault, and that he had been surprised at the level of violence used.

In mitigation, Michael McGoldrick said Bastafield had been shocked by his actions, and that the incident was totally out of character.

Mr McGoldrick said: "He doesn't remember anything about the attack and has not had a blackout before. He is worried that something was put in his drink that made him ill and act in a violent manner."

Chairman of the bench Peter Lewis told Bastafield: "You have got to be aware that if you take the risk of going drinking, whatever you do is still your fault."

Colonel Lewis fined him £50 and ordered him to pay the driver £140 in compensation and £34 costs.

Weymouth FC reserve team manager Dave Kiteley said Bastafield had played for them for three seasons.