A CHRISTENING party ended in a mass brawl which saw two men stabbed and a barmaid attacked with a pint pot, a crown court heard.

Taxi driver Wasi Khan and shopkeeper David Wilson both denied charges of affray when they appeared at Preston Crown Court.

Khan, 49, of London Road, Blackburn, also denies charges of wounding Matthew Stevens and the unlawful wounding of Claire Simmons.

Wilson, 34, of Bolton Road, Blackburn, and Khan arrived at the Park Gate pub in Copster Green near Samlesbury about 7.30pm on February 21 last year, the court was told.

Mark Lamberty, prosecuting, said around 100 guests were celebrating the christening of seven-month-old Olivia Howarth at the pub.

He said the child's mother Andrea Howarth invited Blackburn man Eamon Mahoney to the party and he brought along Khan, Wilson and a fourth man, Andrew Loughnane.

The four men joined in the celebrations and spent the night drinking large amounts of champagne. The court heard Khan spent over £150 during the evening at the bar and spent most of the night dancing.

The violence broke out when Khan picked up a young girl on the dance floor and was asked to put her down.

A fight broke out between Khan and Andrea Howarth's father Roy Howarth. Mr Lamberty said: "Mr Howarth and Khan got involved in a fight and it was claimed Khan had a knife. Someone then stabbed Mr Howarth in the back.

"Things went on from there. Mr Khan got hold of a pool cue and was swinging it around his head.

"Matthew Stevens, a barman at the pub, was there as a guest and was struck over the head with the pool cue.

"People in the pub said they heard a sickening blow when Mr Stevens was hit."

He added: "Claire Simmons, a 16-year-old, was working as a barmaid and was collecting glasses. Khan threw the contents of a glass over Miss Simmons and then threw the glass at her which shattered causing cuts to her hand.

"There were numerous incidents of violence and a number of people saw both defendants involved in scuffles.

"One man was stabbed in the stomach and another man was headbutted."

When the two men were interviewed by police they claimed they were acting in self defence after Khan was racially abused and attacked.

The trial is expected to last around ten days.

(Proceeding)

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