THE trial of a family accused of starting a brawl at a Horwich pub was stopped after a father and his two sons changed their pleas.

During the trial at Bolton Crown Court a jury had heard how David Richardson, aged 49, and his sons Liam Richardson, aged 23 and 21-year-old Ryan Richardson had been ushered out of the Bridge Inn on Church Street by landlord Lee Flannery after the younger son began swearing at bar staff.

But the court was told that the three men then started a fight during which customers and Mr Flannery and his wife Corinne Flannery were punched and kicked.

David Richardson, of Owen’s Row, Horwich, and his sons denied the Remembrance Sunday affray.

In addition Liam Richardson, of Clively Walk, Swinton, pleaded not guilty to assaulting Mrs Flannery and causing grievous bodily harm to customer Liam Abbott and David Richardson denied assaulting Mr Flannery.

But after hearing five days of prosecution evidence David and Liam Richardson offered to plead guilty to affray and Ryan Richardson, of Shetland Way, Urmston, admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

The jury formally returned guilty verdicts on the admitted offences and the other allegations were withdrawn.

No evidence was offered by the prosecution on the GBH and assault charges against Liam Richardson and the assault charge against David Richardson was ordered to lie on file.

The Richardsons will be sentenced on November 6.