A JUDGE has likened an early morning street brawl outside a North-East nightclub to "something out of the Wild West".

Judge Peter Bowers made the comment as closed circuit television footage of the fight, outside Flares in Albert Road, Middlesbrough, was played at Teesside Crown Court.

Three people from Middlesbrough were given community punishment orders after being convicted of affray.

The court heard that David Whittingham, 36, of Acklam Road, Middlesbrough, his girlfriend Nicola Shannon, 30, also of Acklam Road, and her brother, Mark Shannon, 40, of Studley Road, Middlesbrough, got involved in the fight just before 2am on May 22 last year.

The footage showed the three chasing and then attacking an off-duty police officer who tried to stop the fight, which involved a large number of people. The officer suffered bruising to his left eye.

A uniformed policeman fractured a finger trying to stop the fight.

While the video was being played, Judge Bowers said: "It is like a scene out of the Wild West, isn't it?"

Whittingham said he was acting in defence of his girlfriend, but said he had punched three people. He was given a 150-hour community punishment order.

Mark Shannon had admitted fighting but said he could not remember exactly what happened. He was also given a 150-hour community punishment order.

Nicola Shannon confirmed she had been involved in the fight and said she was disgusted with her behaviour. She was given an 80-hour community punishment order.

Judge Bowers said: "I hope you are thoroughly ashamed of your behaviour."