THREE family members involved in an attack on a couple during which a hammer was thrown and a man suffered a broken jaw were sentenced yesterday.

Kevin Bell, Kevin Harvey Bell and Hayley McManus were part of a group which set upon a couple after “angry words” were exchanged at a wake.

However, the actions of one of the victims led to the seriousness of the case being reduced.

Judge Stuart Driver QC said: “I don’t think anybody apart from the three of you will know the full truth of what happened.

“We know that by the end of it one man suffered a serious injury. It was he who introduced the weapon and he refused to co-operate with the court.”

The court heard how the trio, who live in Thompson Avenue, Ainsworth, had been at the Hare and Hounds in Holcombe Brook for a wake on June 2, 2017, before moving on to the Masons Arms in Bolton Road West, Ramsbottom.

There had been "angry words" exchanged in the pub, said Hayley Bennet, prosecuting. These were heard by Danielle Peak who was in the Masons Arms picking up her partner Jamie Lynchey.

Ms Peak and Mr Lynchey headed outside to their BMW 1 Series.

Miss Bennett said: "Danielle Peak and Jamie Lynchey got into the car, which was struck by a number of people. Drove away before having to turn around to exit the side street."

At the street exit their car was struck again by the mob and at this point a hammer was brought to the fight.

Miss Bennett said: "Jamie Lynchey was seen waving it above his head. He threw the hammer at them before getting back into his car.

"A male from that group threw the hammer through the side window. The group blocked the car and got Danielle and Jamie out of it, they were assaulted."

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Mr Lynchey suffered a broken jaw as a result of the attack, Ms Peak had her hair pulled, hr face scratched and was repeatedly punched said Miss Bennett.

Around £2,000 of damage was done to the car, writing it off.

Judge Driver said: "The person most seriously aggrieved was the person who introduced the weapon and didn't co-operate with police.

"At first this case appeared to be more serious than it seems now."

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Kevin Bell, aged 20, Kevin Harvey Bell, aged 41, and Hayley McManus, aged 46, were given 100 hours unpaid work each to carry out during the next 12 months and a curfew from 7pm to 6am. They were each ordered to pay £650 in compensation to Ms Peak for the damage to her car.

Judge Driver said: "I appreciate that curfew bites at the time of year when people enjoy going out socialising - it was drinking in a pub that led to all of this in the first place."