Groom hurt in big day brawl

A wedding reception at a village hall near Stourport ended with a brawl between two feuding families, a court heard.

The bridegroom and a fellow guest had to be taken to hospital after being injured in the row.

Judge Daniel Pearce-Higgins QC told Worcester Crown Court: "It turned into a fearful fight."

Mr Gareth Walters, prosecuting, said the reception at Astley village hall followed the marriage at Kidderminster register office in August 2006, of John Doe and Angeline Jones.

Two members of the Doe family were knocked unconscious. Most injuries were caused by punches but one guest, Steven Jones, suffered a broken wrist.

William Jones, aged 23, of Old Ford Walk, Terry Jones, 24, of Tan Lane, Isaac Hall, 30, and Danny Jones, 19, both of Watery Lane and all from Stourport, were each given 26-week prison sentences suspended for one year and ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work.

Hall, William and Danny Jones were each fined £500. Terry Jones was fined £250. All four had pleaded guilty to affray.

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