THE family of a soldier who died after being assaulted outside a Hampshire pub have paid tribute to him.

Pte Matt Brooks died at Southampton General Hospital on Tuesday after he was attacked outside Yates' Wine Lodge in Portsmouth, last week.

The 18-year-old from Trowbridge, Wiltshire, served with the Royal Logistic Corps and was on a training course at HMS Sultan, Gosport, at the time of the incident.

In a statement, his parents said: “Matt will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him, especially his mum, dad and girlfriend Laura.

“He touched so many hearts and filled them with love, laughter and happiness, he loved life and lived it to the full, and was proud to be a soldier.”

Dean Aldcroft, 21, of Warwick Crescent, Southsea, was charged with two counts of assault and is due to appear at Portsmouth Magistrates Court on Tuesday, May 25.