TWO brothers have been jailed after a night of violence which left a man knifed, a woman facing plastic surgery and a police officer injured.
Burnley Crown Court heard how victim Peter Campbell needed stitches and staples after injuries to his head and mouth. Christine Livesey, who tried to intervene, received bruises and cuts and was operated on at the Royal Preston Hospital while the police officer suffered a blunt trauma injury to his nose.
Thomas Irwin, 43, of Lime Street, Church, was jailed for 15 months after admitting two counts of affray and two charges of unlawful wounding.
Rory Irwin, 38, of Victoria Street, Church, was sent down for six months. He pleaded guilty to two allegations of affray.
Paul Treble, prosecuting, told the jury how, last May, Miss Livesey and Mr Campbell went to the Cross Guns pub, Church. The defendants were there and, at first, the atmosphere seemed friendly.
But the brothers then seemed to take offence at something Peter Campbell said.
Thomas Irwin punched and kicked him and Miss Livesey tried to stop the attack. Rory Irwin also attacked the complainant. Mr Campbell threw a pool ball towards the defendants and they threw balls back.
Mr Campbell and Miss Livesey left the pub and Mr Campbell, who was angry, smashed the windscreen of Rory Irwin's car.
Mr Treble said when Rory Irwin became aware of what had happened he went home for a baseball bat and chased Mr Campbell down a street, threatening to kill him.
A stand-off then followed with the two men both holding implements. Rory Irwin chased after Mr Campbell, hitting him twice and causing him to fall to the ground. Thomas Irwin, armed with a knife, lunged towards Mr Campbell and as Miss Livesey tried to stop the attack, her hand was cut.
Mr Treble said Mr Campbell was then assaulted and was gashed twice in the head. He lost a lot of blood and Miss Livesey thought he was dying.
Mr Campbell had to have 18 staples inserted to his head, 11 stitches to his mouth and had broken ribs, a black eye, cuts and bruises.
Miss Livesey suffered exposed tendons in her hand and was taken to the Royal Preston Infirmary for plastic surgery.
The prosecutor said police later went to Thomas Irwin's home in the small hours of May 12. He was extremely violent and agitated, refused to calm down and had a hockey stick in his hand. He swung it towards one of the officers and hit him, causing a nose injury. Irwin then produced a 12-inch knife and brandished it but was restrained and disarmed of the hockey stick and knife.
Thomas Irwin was arrested and police then went and picked up Rory Irwin at his home.
Mr Treble said Thomas Irwin told police he had had a fight with Mr Campbell. He claimed Mr Campbell had smashed his brother's house windows and he had armed himself believing Mr Campbell was going to come around. Irwin said when police arrived he thought it was Mr Campbell
Rory Irwin told police he hit Mr Campbell once with a baseball bat because he thought he was going to be attacked.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article