A GROUP of men thought they would help themselves to free beer when they spotted a fellow train passenger carrying some cans.

But their attempts to intimidate the man into handing over his drinks quickly became an assault when they turned on another passenger who tried to protect the man.

Desmond McCarthy, aged 21, of Vickers Road, Erith, appeared at Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court on August 8 and pleaded guilty to common assault.

His three companions, Lee Down, aged 22, of Kentish Road, Belvedere; Anthony Housden, aged 21, of Iris Crescent, Bexleyheath and Lee Stevenson, aged 29, of Kentish Road, Belvedere, had pleaded guilty to affray at an earlier hearing.

Prosecutor Derek Zeithin said the four men had been travelling home on a London to Dartford train in the early hours of July 1 last year.

The group had been in London celebrating Stevenson's birthday.

When they saw the man carrying some beer, one of the four approached him and demanded one of the cans but the man refused.

Mr Zeithin said the man was then accused of pushing one of the four, who told him he was going to get his mates to sort him out.

When Mark Williams, who had witnessed what was going on, stepped in to defend the man with the beer, the four men turned on him.

The court heard other passengers saw all four men punching and kicking Mr Williams.

However, McCarthy claimed he had only hit Mr Williams once.

On McCarthy's behalf, Fergus Malone said he was of previous good character and was about to start his second year at university in Essex, where he was studying to be an accountant.

McCarthy apologised for his part in the incident.

The case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports and the four men will be sentenced next month.