FOUR men were jailed for their roles in what a judge described as “absolutely disgraceful” disorder at the end of an engagement party.

Peter Jones, whose daughter was celebrating her engagement, her then fiancé Kevin Rutherford, his brother Andrew Rutherford and their cousin Gareth Christopher Laidman, variously became involved in the brawl in the foyer of Newhouse Club and Institute, in Esh Winning, shortly after midnight on April 7, 2018.

Durham Crown Court was told the spark was Mr Jones angrily banging a door, amid complaints of underage drinking and uninvited people attending the function.

Chris Wood, prosecuting, said the steward, who was clearing up, stated that no-one under 18 was served with alcohol during the evening.

Several people appeared to try to calm the still agitated Jones, but Laidman grabbed him by the face, leading to a fight developing, drawing in the Rutherford brothers.

Punching and kicking took place across the foyer.

Laidman was seen searching his pockets, leaving the building, then returning to throw several punches at a heavily blood-stained man while wearing a knuckleduster on his right hand.

Fighting spilled into the bar area, despite the efforts of would-be peacemakers.

When police attended, furniture was displaced and damaged, several people, including the defendants, were visibly injured, while blood was splattered on the walls.

Dr Wood said there was still tension in the air, but others were distressed, shaken and upset at the violence.

Arising from the incident, Jones, 52, of Evenwood Road, Esh Winning, Kevin Rutherford, 36, of Front Street East, and his brother, 34, of Market Crescent, both Wingate, plus 30-year-old Laidman, of Front Street, Sherburn Hill, all admitted affray.

Laidman also admitted possessing an offensive weapon.

Defence barristers for all four spoke of the various roles played by their clients, but Judge Jonathan Carroll said they all played a part in the, “absolutely disgraceful example of public disorder and violence.”

He said it was “by mere chance” no more serious injuries were caused.

All four received 16-month prison sentences for affray and Laidman was given an added eight months for the offensive weapon offence.