A soldier who punched a sergeant in the face after an alleged racist remark told a court he was acting in self defence.

Rafaele Tatawaqa, 23, of Dalton Barracks, Abingdon, has denied causing grievous bodily harm to Sgt Jason Swift during an assault in the toilets of Strattons nightclub in Abingdon on August 3 last year.

A jury at Oxford Crown Court was today continuing its deliberations, having retired on February 24 to reach a verdict.

Giving evidence using an interpreter, Fiji-born Tatawaqa told the court that he had been given a night off guard duty to go out with friends.

He said he had been in the nightclub for about 20 minutes before he went to the toilets, and estimated he had drunk about five pints of lager.

He claimed a man he did not know pushed in next to him causing him to lose balance slightly.

He said there was an exchange of words, with the man -- Sgt Swift -- swearing and making a comment about his race.

Tatawaqa said Sgt Swift, who was "angry and menacing", clenched his fists and advanced, saying "come on then, let's start it".

Tatawaqa admitted punching him three times in the mouth. He said: "I was afraid by this stage. All I could see were other white faces."

Under cross examination yesterday, Sgt Swift, who has been left with scars to his lip, denied the allegations.