A brother and sister have appeared at Durham Crown Court following a brief outbreak of violence arising from a row at a village workingmen's club over a christening invitation.

Kirsty, 34, and 41-year-old Thomas Lowther, who were both said to have acted “out of character” during the incident at the club in Cockfield, near Bishop Auckland, each left the hearing with a £280 court bill.

Both were accused of affray, using or threatening unlawful violence, and appeared before Newton Aycliffe magistrates last month.

The case was sent to the crown court as the magistrates considered it unsuitable for summary trial.

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They both appeared at a plea hearing at the crown court last week, when Thomas Lowther, of Grewburn Lane, Butterknowle, pleaded guilty to the charge of affray and sister Kirsty, of Manor Grove, Cockfield, denied the offence.

But the case came back before the court ysterday (Wednesday, October 18), when Kirsty Lowther changed her plea, and also admitted the affray charge.

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Cainan Lonsdale, prosecuting, told the court it arose from a confrontation between the pair shortly after midnight at the club on December 30, last year.

Mr Lonsdale said Thomas Lowther was playing snooker with his son when he was approached by his sister who wanted to have a word outside.

Their conversation was described as getting “louder and louder” and resulted in Thomas restraining his sister and his son intervened pushing him away, while another male went to assist.

Mr Lonsdale said the rest of the exchange was captured on CCTV inside the club.

It resulted in Kirsty Lowther having to attend the accident and emergency ward at hospital for treatment for an eye injury suffered in the incident.

When both were interviewed by police they each said they were acting in self-defence.

Both were said to have no previous convictions.

Martin Towers, for Kirsty Lowther, said there was, “a significant family background” behind the incident.

But before Mr Towers, or Calum McNicholas, representing Thomas Lowther, could make further representations, Judge James Adkin told both: “You can’t argue with a fine being imposed.”

Judge Adkin told the defendants: “You were both at Cockfield Workingmen’s Club and argued over an invitation to a christening.

“You, Kirsty Lowther, threw chalk and a pool ball at your brother and he ran over and caused an injury to your eye.

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“Thomas Lowther is described as being normally a hard-working man, who has done charitable work in the community.

“You both acted out of character in a one-off dispute between siblings.”

He fined both defendants £200, to be paid within 28 days and they must each also pay an £80 statutory court surcharge