Punches flew at wedding reception

2:15pm Friday 5th September 2008

A BRIDEGROOM was taken to hospital with cuts and bruises after two rival families began a punch-up at his wedding reception.

One man suffered a broken wrist during the 20-minute fracas in the car park outside Astley village hall and weapons included an iron bar and a ratchet spanner.

Punches flew and kicks were delivered between men from the families of John Doe and his bride, Angeline Jones.

Bar staff alerted to the danger made sure that glasses and bottles were quickly cleared up from a six-hour drinking session to prevent further injuries, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Judge Daniel Pearce-Higgins QC said: "This should have been a happy occasion but turned out to be a free-for-all after a long-standing dispute between the families.

"It was a prolonged disturbance, with some nasty injuries, and was a frigthening and unnecessary experience for all those present."

He sentenced four Stourport men to 26 weeks jail, suspended for 12 months, with 150 hours of community work each.

They were also ordered fined £500 each, with the exception of Terry Jones, 24, of Tan Lane, who was fined £250.

He and Isaac Hall, 30, of Watery Lane, William Jones, 23, of Old Ford Walk and Danny Jones, 19, of Watery Lane, pleaded guilty to affray.

Steven Jones, 22, and Henry Jones, 20, both of Watery Lane, admitted public disorder and were each fined £250.

The bride and groom were forbidden to meet after earlier antagonism between their families, said prosecutor Gareth Walters.

But they continued their relationship in secret and after Miss Jones became pregnant their marriage at Kidderminster Register Office on August 16, 2006, went ahead.

Guests arrived at the village hall around 1pm but trouble brewed after some members of the Jones family took off their shirts and yelled: "I'm the best man here," said Mr Walters.

A crowd moved outside and fighting broke out, leaving two members of the Doe family knocked unconscious and a woman injured.

The violence terrified the children present and residents near the hall were disturbed by the noise.

Steven Jones suffered a broken wrist in the melee after being hit with an iron bar.

At an earlier hearing, the prosecution offered no evidence against two other men, Clarence Jones, 46, and Anthony Jones, 39, who were discharged.

Defence barrister Tariq Shakoor said the violence was caused by "family loyalty" but there had been no further incidents and "the dispute has been put to bed".

Hall was given a four-month prison sentence in 2003 for assault and Henry Jones a suspended six-month jail sentence last year for assault and battery.

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