A NIGHT out for two brothers - both new fathers - ended in violence, Harrogate magistrates heard yesterday.

Benjamin Lee Ross, 22, of Aismunderby Road, Ripon, and Philip Christopher Ross, 26, of Moorside Dale, had been in Edison's bar in Station Square, celebrating with a friend who was marking his birthday.

Arrangements had been made for them to be collected by Philip Ross's wife, but as they left a fight broke out in the street and they got involved.

When both men agreed to be bound over to keep the peace for six months in the sum of £100, Michael Hammond, prosecuting - who said others had been charged with assault and public order offences - dropped an affray charge which both men would have contested at York Crown Court.

Andrew Tinning, for both men, said that as the violence erupted following a no-trouble session in the bar, they were set upon.

He said Benjamin, a warehouse operative had been assaulted and Philip, a warehouse manager, had gone to his aid and fought off the aggressors.

Mr Hammond said the brothers' behaviour had fallen short of what was expected of law-abiding citizens when they had gone to the aid of others.

"Although their reasons were good, they went about resolving the matter in the wrong way."