20-year-old denies being a member of gang that set upon a man in a Shrewsbury street

Injured man Alex Owen had been visiting a friend in Round Hill, Coton Hill, when he was headbutted, kicked and struck with metal bars during the incident on the evening of June 9, 2016.

Giving evidence during a trial at Shrewsbury Crown Court, Thomas Barnes, then 18, said he was at the scene of the fight, but denied being a member of the so called Sundorne Bad Boys gang whose members were involved.

Barnes, a joiner, told the jury that on the day of the incident he met up with friend Jordan Warren to play football.

Defence barrister Mr Kevin Jones, representing Barnes, asked him: "What did you see when you arrived?"

Barnes replied: "Just confrontation and shouting. I was at the top of the cul-de-sac with Jordan. I saw about 20 people who were at the bottom of the road. I wanted to see what was going on. I didn't really know half the group."

Mr Jones said: "Did you see Alex Owen?"

"Barnes replied: "I knew him from school. I could see that he was at the bottom. There was shouting , fighting going on. I just stood back. I saw someone go to attack Alex with a bar and I just put my hand up to stop it.

"They lifted their hand to hit the back of the person's head and I went over and grabbed their hand. I pulled the away the bar from them and threw it to the floor.

"I just walked away after that to the end of the cul-de-sac. Everybody left as well."

Barnes denied allegations that it was he who had the bar and was striking Mr Owen.

Barnes, of White House Gardens, and co-defendants Demi Jennings, of New Park Road, Ditherington, and 17 year old youth all deny affray.

Two other defendants Daniel Page, 21, of Summer Gardens, and Callum Parsons, 18, of Wingfield Close also Ditherington, were found not guilty of affray on Thursday after the prosecution said there was insufficient evidence.

The trial continues.