A soldier performing at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo was snared for a brutal assault after his regimental T-shirt was spotted on CCTV.
Joel Cooney left a fellow squaddie with a fractured jaw and eye socket after punching him in the face on the Royal Mile.
The 19-year-old landed a single blow moments after shaking hands with the victim in an apparent truce.
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The city’s sheriff court heard Cooney was caught on security camera and cops traced him to Redford Barracks as he was wearing a 3 Scots top report the Record.
Fiscal depute said Cooney’s “sartorial choice” to wear a T-shirt from the The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland led to his capture.
Cooney pled guilty on Tuesday to assaulting Samuel Richardson to his severe injury.
Mr Price said a CCTV operator had spotted two groups outside the Radisson Blu Hotel at around 5.15 whose behaviour gave them concern.
Police were called to the scene and Samuel, who was hurt, was taken to Edinburgh and found to have two fractures.
Mr Price said cops checked the CCTV. He added: “Mr Cooney was seen approaching Mr Richardson and they shake hands.
“After that, there is a single punch to Mr Richardson’s face.
“At the time, Mr Cooney was wearing a regimental T-shirt for 3 Scots.
“Mr Cooney’s sartorial choice has led the investigation to Redford Barracks in Edinburgh where police spoke to staff.
“Mr Cooney was at the barracks as he was taking part in ceremonies at the Military Tattoo.”
The prosecutor said Cooney was arrested on August 22 last year, five days after the incident on the Royal Mile.
Defence agent Roger Colledge said the victim was also a soldier but didn’t know his client.
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Mr Colledge said they were both in the city for the Tattoo.
The solicitor added the incident had taken place in the “early hours” and “excessive drink” had been taken.
The court was told Cooney is currently based at Fort George, near Inverness, the home of the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland since 2007.
Sheriff Wendy Sheehan deferred sentence on Cooney, of Heathall, Dumfries and Galloway, until next month for reports.
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