A BRAWL began at a Tonge Fold pub after staff tried to eject a group of people.

At Bolton Crown Court two men and a woman involved in the fighting were told by a judge that their behaviour had been “barbaric”.

Suzanne Hargreaves, prosecuting, told the court how, on November 29, 2019, Kassie Hilton, her boyfriend Dylan Jones and Dylan Wood were drinking at the Black Horse pub on Bury Road.

Landlady Amanda Regan, watching on CCTV, saw a chair being thrown about by someone, who has not been identified and the group he was with was asked to leave.

“A mass brawl then broke out involving that group, of which these three defendants were a part,” said Miss Hargreaves.

“The female was described by Miss Regan as particularly aggressive.”

During the 10 minutes of fighting Jones, Wood and Hilton, who had all been drinking heavily, were seen outside on CCTV repeatedly returning to the pub, punching and kicking others while, at one point, Jones brandished a metal bar.

Judge John Potter heard that several people were injured although, fortunately, no one is believed to have been seriously hurt.

Police arrived on the scene and Hilton, aged 33, of Stanley Park Walk, Tonge Fold, Jones, aged 21, of Bradford Street, Bolton, and Wood, aged 23, of Doris Avenue, Tonge Fold, were arrested.

Each pleaded guilty to affray.

When questioned by police Hilton claimed she had come out of the toilet with her partner Jones to find Wood being attacked. She alleged that she returned to the pub because she was concerned about Woods’ girlfriend, who had not left with them.

Jones said he had learnt about Woods being attacked and had gone to help.

“He accepted fighting at stage but he did not give any explanation for returning to the pub, saying that he was intoxicated,” said Miss Hargreaves.

She added that people on both sides of the fight had weapons, with one woman from the opposing group arming herself with a bottle.

Wood claimed that trouble began when his friend kicked a chair over and he was attacked, leaving him with a large cut to his shoulder.

“Mr Wood describes what happened as something out of a wild western movie,” said Miss Hargeaves.

In a victim statement Ms Regan said others involved in the brawl had got away.

“It is a shame. It has upset so many people,” she added.

The court heard that Wood has no previous convictions while Jones and Hilton have not committed any similar crimes.

Hilton wiped away tears as Judge Potter sentenced each of them to eight months in prison, suspended for two years with participation in 20 days of rehabilitation activities.

Additionally Jones must do 150 hours of unpaid work, Wood has to undertake 100 hours of unpaid work and Hilton was electronically tagged and made subject to a 7pm to 7am curfew for three months.

Judge Potter said the violence had been prolonged in sporadic outbursts.

"I come to the view that those outbursts can properly be described as mindless violence, no doubt fuelled by, on your three parts, by a misplaced sense of injustice and, particularly, alcohol," he said.

"This was barbaric and mindless behaviour in which the three of you indulged.

"What sort of example are you setting to your children or your family by behaving in that way?

"What sort of responsibility are the three of you accepting for your lives within our community when you seek to breach the peaceful enjoyment of others by displaying violence such as that?

"Wholly disgraceful. You should be thoroughly ashamed."