Four jailed after Shrewsbury 'scene of carnage' brawl

Matthew Booth, David Williams, Michael Andrew Williams and Joshua Gwinnett were part of a group who got involved in a verbal spat with another group of friends on the streets close to the town's library. A fight broke out and quickly escalated with "people fighting everywhere", Shrewsbury Crown Court heard.

Lee Jones, who had met up with his sister Kelsey after she finished work, suffered a serious fracture to his ankle and the court heard he may have a "significant disability" for some time as a result.

Miss Jones, who was punched in the face during the fight and suffered concussion, told the court how she saw her brother lying on the floor with one person kicking him and another punching him.

Booth, 24, of Low Hill Crescent, Wolverhampton, and David Williams, also 24, of Beech Croft Place in Wolverhampton, were each sentenced to 20 months in jail for grievous bodily harm and eight months for affray, to run concurrently.

Gwinnett, 22, of Cornwall Road, Wolverhampton, received 10 months for affray, and Michael Williams, 27, of Beech Croft Place, Wolverhampton, received eight months for affray.

All four men had admitted the charges relating to the events in the early hours of February 2 last year at a previous hearing.

Mr Timothy Sapwell, prosecuting, said: "Kelsey Jones was working in Shrewsbury and when she finished meet her brother Lee. They went out in a group of other people and went towards the library.

"There was a verbal confrontation when they came across the defendants. Miss Jones said one of the group came and stared at her and then verbally abused her.

"All of a sudden she saw one of the group fight with one of her friends and then she was punched on her left side of her face. Afterwards she described a scene of carnage with people fighting everywhere.

"She saw her brother on the floor with someone kicking him and another punching him."

Mr Sapwell said as a result of the assault Mr Jones' ankle was broken in three places and required surgery, while Miss Jones suffered a concussion, bruising and grazing.

Mr Phillip Bradley, representing all four defendants, said: "All four of these men had been out that evening and drunk large quantities of alcohol. While it is true they were somewhat provoked by the other group, their reaction is what gave rise to the mischief that then arose. They overreacted.

"This was made worse because they were in drink and in a public place and the number of people involved."

In sentencing, Judge Peter Barrie said: "It's clear that you are all capable of being helpful, polite members of society who look after your loved ones well and work hard.

"But Lee Jones suffered a very serious fracture to his ankle which needed significant medical treatment and is likely to have caused significant disability for some time."