FIVE local men involved in a street brawl on the streets of Morecambe, which left one man with permanent brain damage, have appeared before Preston Crown Court. Andrew Bowden was attacked twice in a violent assault which left him in a coma fighting for his life. The incident happened in January near to the Carlton Club on Morecambe's Promenade.

Brian Lennon, 20, of Eden Vale Crescent, Lancaster, and Layton Young, 19, of Kenwood Avenue, Morecambe, pleaded guilty to a charge of causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Bowden.

They also admitted a charge of violent disorder relating to the same incident, as did Steven Cameron and Gavin Cameron, 21, also of Latham Grove, Morecambe.

Lennon, Steven Cameron and Gavin Cameron, 21, also of Latham Grove, pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting Richard Kellet, causing him actual bodily harm.

A fifth man, Kevin Morton, 23, of Melrose Avenue, Morecambe, admitted affray.

Alan Conrad, prosecuting, told the court that the charges related to group violence on the streets of Morecambe on January 24 this year.

He said: "During that violence a number of young men were injured. The consequences were especially serious for Andrew Bowden who received injuries which placed him in a coma."

"His life for some time was in danger and although he is now out of hospital, he has suffered brain damage."

The case was adjourned to allow pre-sentence reports to be prepared on the defendants.

They were granted conditional bail but Judge Edward Slinger warned them that all sentencing options, including custody, would be open to the court.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.