A HAGLEY man has contested claims that he kicked a fellow reveller during a New Year’s celebration at a Worcestershire pub last December, a court heard.

Two young men, one of whom was from Hagley, punched another man when violence flared after the celebrations the French Hen pub in Clent.

But, although both have admitted punching the victim, a judge has decided he could not conclude that one of them also kicked him.

Joshua Dunn, aged 21, of Meadowcroft, Hagley, and Scott Lewis, 22, of Bromsgrove Road, Clent, admitted assaulting Louis Teague, causing actual bodily harm, on the basis that they punched him.

However, there was a trial over a claim by the prosecution that Dunn also kicked Mr Teague during the incident. Dunn denied any kicking.

Sentencing was adjourned until December 18 and Judge Abbas Mithani QC warned them they should “expect custody”, saying Mr Teague suffered “significant injuries”.

Paul Whitfield, prosecuting, told Worcester Crown Court that pub manager Christopher Clarke was informed there had been a “scuffle” and found a large group of people who had been ushered outside by staff at about 1.15am last New Year’s Day.

Mr Clarke saw Lewis launch himself on to Mr Teague, punching him in the face and knocking him off his feet.

Soon afterwards he saw Mr Teague running down the road being chased.

Joe Muggeridge, a member of staff at the pub, told the court he followed and saw Dunn and Mr Teague fall over in the mud, where they “had a scrap”.

“Josh got up first and Louis was on the floor. Josh kicked Louis,” said Mr Muggeridge.

In a police statement, Mr Muggeridge said Dunn had kicked Mr Teague in the head but he told the court he could not now remember where the kick had landed.

Dunn told the court he had chased and punched Mr Teague, who had had a “fall-out” with his friend, Lewis.

Dunn also claimed that he himself was punched by one of two men who had followed behind.

He added that he fell on top of Mr Teague, the other two men “jumped” on him before Lewis pulled them off.

He insisted he had not kicked Mr Teague – and three of his friends who gave evidence to the court also said they had seen no kick.

Judge Mithani said that Mr Muggeridge’s evidence was independent and he “did not have any axe to grind”.

But he had to weigh it against the evidence given by the others in court and he could not be satisfied, to the point necessary in a criminal case, that a kick had been delivered.