A group of three men were caught on camera fighting “shirtless in the street” after an argument at a children’s party.
Christopher and Lee Fletcher, 37 and 36, where both involved in the fight with 26-year-old Connor Byrne on McKenzie Street, Astley Bridge on May 28 this year.
Bolton Crown Court heard that police were called at around 8pm that evening were they found the two Fletchers taking on Byrne, which was captured on CCTV.
Verity Quaite, prosecuting, said: “They can be seen throwing punches throughout the footage.
“Mr Byrne is knocked unconscious after about seven minutes.”
Ms Quaite told the court that both Fletchers blamed Byrne as the instigator said they acted in self-defence but all three were arrested.
They were taken to Bolton Police Station and all pleaded guilty to affray when brought before the magistrates court on June 23.
Megan Edwards, defending Christopher Fletcher, of Great Bent Close, Rochdale, Colin Buckle defending Lee Fletcher, of Ann Street, Rochdale and Andrew Costello, representing Byrne, of Mackenzie Street, Bolton all argued that they had shown real remorse for their actions that day.
The said that the three men would be better dealt with in the community than with prison sentences.
Recorder Philip Barnes agreed this would be the best way of dealing with the three men but reminded the court of the “ugly violence” that had broken out and the “riotous spectacle” they had made of themselves.
He said that the footage had displayed the incident in its “stark and awful glory”, showing “three grown men, shirtless in the street.”
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Recorder Barnes said: “The reality is that once minutes have passed and punches are being thrown, the original instigator rather falls away.”
But he accepted that all three were “deeply ashamed” and noted their “relative lack of serious offending in the past.”
He sentenced all three to six months in prison, suspended for 18 months and ordered both Fletchers to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work with 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
Byrne was also ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and to take part in a thinking skills programme.
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