A MAN was pushed to his death from an upstairs window after a gang rampaged through a brothel, a court heard yesterday.

Kalvant Singh was caught up in violence when five men went hunting for a man they believed had been robbing Middlesbrough's prostitutes.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Thomas Petch, 22, Jason Crossling, 32, his brother Jonathan Crossling and Lee Harrison, were driven around the town by George Coleman, 41, to seek out their intended victim.

Mr Singh had picked up a prostitute and went to the house in Errol Street, Middlesbrough, when the Crossling brothers burst into the room on August 6 last year.

Andrew Robertson, prosecuting, said Mr Singh was attacked by Jonathan Crossling before being pushed to his death through the window. He was found in the yard with head injuries.

Mr Robertson said: "A post-mortem examination was carried out and it was apparent he had also been punched and kicked a number of times before being pushed or thrown through the window."

Michael Moody, who lived at the flat where the killing took place, was also subjected to an attack. Mr Petch rammed Mr Moody's head into a fish tank, which shattered, leaving glass embedded in his neck.

The court heard that Mr Petch, Jonathan Crossling and Mr Harrison were driven by Mr Coleman to bedsits in Southfield Road where they continued the rampage.

Mr Robertson said: "Again, the man they were looking for was not found so other innocent men became the object of their intended violence."

He said Paul Ward had a sword thrust at him while Mr Petch punched him about the head. He also received a cut to the eye. Together with Jonathan Crossling, Mr Petch burst into another room where Andrew Jessop was attacked with the handle of the sword.

Within 24 hours another man was attacked in Fallows Court. Paul Thompson was kicked about the face and body by Mr Petch and Jonathan Crossling, it was said. Jonathan Crossling, who is in Spain awaiting extradition, and Mr Harrison who remains on the run from police, have yet to face charges. Mr Petch, Mr Coleman and Jason Crossling deny murdering Mr Singh and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Michael Moody.

Mr Coleman, of Thornton Street, North Ormesby, and Mr Petch, of Parkhouse Farm, Dunsdale, deny aggravated burglary at Southfield Road. Mr Coleman and Mr Petch deny wounding Mr Ward and Mr Jessop with intent. Mr Petch denies wounding Mr Thompson with intent