Five men of Albanian origin have appeared in court over an alleged street fight in a County Durham village, last month.

At least three of the accused were said to have been armed with weapons, including crow bars or hammers, during the violence in Front Street, Wingate, on Tuesday June 18.

Durham Crown Court was told one man appeared to have been assaulted by others before the assailants made off in a silver Mercedes car.

(Image: The Northern Echo)

The vehicle was said to have been found a short distance away containing two sets of brothers, Ardi and Krenar Isufaj and Leke and Gjoke Maimi.

Weapons said to have been used in the street confrontation earlier were recovered from the car by police.

The other defendant, Agostin Doda, was found close to a crow bar.

(Image: The Northern Echo)

Gjoke Maimi, 31, who has been granted bail, attended in person at a plea hearing at Durham Crown Court, but the other four defendants appeared via prison to court video link, two from nearby HMP Durham, and two from HMP Doncaster, where they have been remanded in custody since their first court appearance before magistrates, last month.

A charge of affray was put to all five defendants, who were assisted by an Albanian interpreter for the hearing.

All five denied the charge and Doda and Krenar Isufaj also denied possessing an offensive weapon in public, a crow bar and long-handled hammer, respectively.

The case was adjourned for a trial on December 2, but Judge Jo Kidd asked for all five defendants to be produced at the court in person for a further pre-trial hearing, also to be assisted by an interpreter, on September 6, which is the date signed defence statements must be submitted.

See more court stories from The Northern Echo by clicking here

Man arrested after alleged street fight in Stockton

Five arrested after alleged Middlesbrough street fight

Four arrested after fight involving 'large knife' in Stockton

Don't miss out on the latest news and stories. Subscribe to The Northern Echo now for £4 for four months, by clicking here

Judge Kidd remanded 25-year-old Doda, of no fixed abode, and 32-year-old Krenar Isufaj, of Buckhurst Hill, in Essex, to remain in HMP Doncaster.

Ardi Isufaj, 40, also of Buckhurst Hill, and 26-year-old Leke Maimi, of Enfield in Essex, were remanded to remain in HMP Durham.

Gjoke Maimi, 31, was further bailed to the same address in Enfield, Essex.