Four UK soldiers in New York City brawl

The group were on a rugby team trip

The soldiers were from the Royal Scots Borderers (Getty Images)

Four British soldiers have admitted fighting with an off-duty policeman in New York City.

The men were on a trip with the military rugby team in August when an argument started outside a bar.

According to the Associated Press news agency, criminal complaints say the officer was punched and his mobile phone was taken.

Ratu-losefo Yavala and Thomas Shute pleaded guilty to misdemeanour assault, with Yavala also pleading guilty to theft.

Mosese Kurulala and Iliakini Raderua pleaded guilty to violations, which are not crimes under US law.

Shute, who is the only British member of the squad, was given a one-year conditional discharge, ordered to carry out five days of community service and fined $500 (£314) at the New York Criminal Court.

The other three, who are all from Fiji, were also fined and got community service. Another two soldiers were arrested after the brawl, but the charged were dropped.

All six are from the Royal Scots Borderers, an infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

A battalion spokeswoman said: "We have noted the findings of the court.

"Those who have been charged in relation to criminal offences will have that recorded on their record and it will affect their careers.

"Those who have had their charges dropped may still be liable to administrative action at the discretion of their commanding officer."

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "All those who are found to fall short of the Army's high standards or who are found to have committed an offence under the Armed Forces Act are dealt with administratively (up to and including discharge) or through the discipline process, as appropriate.

"We have a common law and Data Protection Act duty to protect the personal information of our employees and, as such, we are not prepared to release any personal information relating to this case."