FOUR family members have been sentenced after a brawl broke out at a social club when wedding and birthday parties clashed.
Two of the brawlers were awaiting sentence at the time for a similar fracas at another wedding at Daresbury Park Hotel two years earlier.
Eddie Stokes, Edward Jason Stokes, Edward Joseph Stokes, and John Stokes were at a wedding at Rudheath Social Club in Northwich back in November 2021.
Chester Crown Court heard that two different parties were in two different rooms at the Middlewich Road club.
However, at one point in proceedings, there was a disturbance between party-goers.
Prosecuting, Brett Williamson played to the court a CCTV compilation of pulling and pushing, along with punches, kicks, and even pieces of furniture being thrown.
Mr Williamson said: “The four defendants were involved in disorder, including assaults on guests, many of whom were injured in the disorder.”
A trio of defendants were taken into custody at the scene, but the fourth, John, was arrested more than six months after the altercation.
Edward Joseph and he were awaiting sentence on crown court bail at the time of the fight due to another fight at Daresbury Park Hotel, with jail terms handed down by Chester Crown Court in November 2022.
This relates to a huge brawl which erupted between up to 50 guests at a wedding reception at the hotel on June 26, 2019.
By around 11pm, the reception was in full swing, with 150 people expected in the Alice Suite function room on the first floor.
Police at Daresbury Park Hotel the day after the brawl(Image: Supplied)
At 11.15pm, a barman saw three men arguing as he left to collect items from the main bar, and when he returned, a huge fight between some 40 men had started.
CCTV footage played in court showed glasses and chairs being hurled across the room, as well as displays being torn down and a sweet cart overturned.
Police were called after a night porter saw what was happening on CCTV, but the first dispatch of officers was forced to retreat on arrival, taking the view that they were unable to deal with the situation alone.
It took a unit of armed back-up officers specially equipped and trained to restore order. A dozen were arrested and gave no comment police interviews, with 11 later charged.
Around 30 police cars were spotted rushing to the area, according to eyewitnesses, while Warrington Hospital even declared a major incident, with senior management called in during the night to assist.
Ultimately, only three patients were taken to hospital after suffering minor injuries, but more than £18,000 worth of damage was caused during the incident.
Nine of the brawlers were handed a combined 15 years and 10 months behind bars for violent disorder, with John locked up for 21 months, and Edward Joseph for 18 months.
During his sentencing for the Daresbury Park Hotel brawl, the court heard that John was filmed walking around without a shirt and carrying a pole.
At one point, he received an injury to his head, leading him to take off his vest, wrap it around his head to stop the bleeding, and continue bare-chested.
Edward Joseph meanwhile was seen taking a glass from a table and throwing it, as well as tearing pictures from walls, causing the glass frames to smash.
Cameras also captured him carrying a fire extinguisher in each hand, and he was holding a pole when he was arrested by police.
A brawl broke out at Rudheath Social Club(Image: Google)
For the Rudheath Social Club fight, the defendants pleaded guilty to violent disorder last year, except Edward Joseph, who did so at a later date this year.
Edward Jason also admitted a racially aggravated public order offence for a racial slur towards a police officer.
In mitigation, legal representatives for the four said that they have stayed out of trouble for almost four years since the altercation, and that they have shown that they are a low risk of reoffending as a result.
They all avoided prison last week after being handed suspended sentences from judge Simon Berkson – the same judge who presided over the Daresbury Park Hotel sentencing.
Eddie, aged 22 and of Bridge Close, Cuddington, was sentenced to one year and three months in prison, suspended for a year and a half, with a 120-day alcohol abstinence requirement and 200 hours of unpaid work.
Edward Jason, aged 25 and of Bradfield Road, Crewe, was sentenced to one year and six months in prison, suspended for a year and a half, with a 120-day alcohol abstinence requirement and 200 hours of unpaid work.
Edward Joseph, aged 24 and of Kettell Avenue, Crewe, was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison, suspended for a year and a half, with 200 hours of unpaid work.
John, aged 30 and of Cooper Dean Drive, Bournemouth, was sentenced to one year and six months in prison, suspended for a year and a half, with 200 hours of unpaid work.
Judge Berkson said that there was a ‘realistic prospect of rehabilitation’ for all of them, due to them not offending for ‘a long period of time’.
He said: “You are different people and, with the right work, you can continue on the road to not committing further offences.”
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