Man seriously injured in Civic Hall charity boxing brawl

Tom Hayes suffered a fractured skull and brain haemorrhage when stamped on the head and was left with long-term hearing difficulties, the city's Crown Court was told.

He was an innocent party caught up in the fighting that continued outside after several of those involved had been ejected from by bouncers, revealed Mr Benjamin Close, prosecuting.

It was alleged that 29-year-old Benji Groom attacked Mr Hayes and later claimed to be a mixed martial arts fighter.

The trouble started with a bust-up in a corridor outside the gents in the Civic Hall during the event at which a team of West Midland Police officers took on members of the public in a series of charity boxing bouts watched by over 200 people on October 18, 2014, the court heard.

The violence spilled outside the venue after three people involved in the original fracas were ejected and were followed from the building by other members of the audience who had paid up to £80-a-head for tickets.

Mr Close explained that a 'large fight' broke out between people from two groups, some of which was captured on CCTV.

One allegedly included Adam and Jake Hayes – the brothers of Tom Hayes – who have both admitted involvement in the fight and pleaded guilty to affray and Jason Lunt, who denies the offence.

The other supposedly included Groom and Hayley Jones – both of whom deny affray – and Michael Spruce who has pleaded guilty, the jury was told.

Mr Close claimed that, once outside, Lunt assaulted Spruce who 'responded in kind' and a fight erupted between the pair while Jones supposedly hit Adam Hayes.

It was alleged that Groom then stamped on the head of Tom Hayes who had been pulled to the ground after going to see what was happening.

Groom was stopped by police nearby and Mr Close disclosed: "He told them he was not involved and was not aware of any violence at all, which on any reading, was a lie."

Spruce and Adam Hayes were arrested at the scene.

Mr David Iles, defending Jones, said she had denied involvement in the violence when she went voluntarily to a police station two months after the charity night following a public appeal for a woman pictured at the event to come forward.

She was prepared to appear in an identity parade in a bid to prove her innocence but the offer was not taken up by police, added the lawyer. It was also suggested that more than one person was involved in the attack on Tom Hayes.

Groom of Ashmore Road, Willenhall denied affray and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Hayes while Jason Lunt aged 46, of Valley Road, Bloxwich and 33-year-old Jones from Mount Road, Tettenhall Wood both plead not guilty to affray.

The trial continues.