Christmas Eve brawl brothers win cut to prison terms
A thug who left a reveller with head wounds when a Christmas Eve knees-up turned to mayhem has had his sentence cut by top judges.
Jamie Clowsley, aged 20, was jailed for six years and three months at Stafford Crown Court in January for his role in the fighting in December 2014.
He had earlier pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm in the clash outside the Crown pub, in Codsall. His brother, Nathan Clowsley, 23, was handed a 21-month sentence after admitting affray.
But after claiming their sentences were excessive, the brothers, of Lane Green Road, Codsall, challenged their sentences this week.
Jamie Clowsley's sentence was cut to five years, while his brother's jail term was reduced to 16 months. The violence started after Jamie Clowsley bumped into another drinker, spilling his beer, London's Appeal Court heard. The 'festive' atmosphere rapidly soured as violence broke out, said Lord Justice Lindblom.
The siblings claimed they were forced to flee for safety as they were chased and cornered by a throng of 10 to 15 men. Nathan Clowsley admitted throwing a glass or bottle during the fracas, but insisted he did little harm or damage.
But at some point one of the pub-goers, Matthew Danks, was struck in the back of the head by a bottle hurled by Jamie. He suffered a number of cuts to his forehead, as well as the back of his scalp, plus a slash on his upper lip.
Lord Justice Lindblom, sitting with Mr Justice Gilbart and Judge David Radford QC, said there was 'some force' to claims that the duo's sentences were too harsh.
He added at one point CCTV footage showed the two brothers 'retreating from the melee.'
