FIVE members of a family appeared in court yesterday after a christening party erupted in violence.

Trouble flared after the child's parents started arguing at Thornley Working Men's Club, in County Durham, last April.

The row resulted in the child's mother being attacked and other family members, including his father and his step-grandmother, being charged by police.

The fracas continued later that night when the child's grandparents had a brick thrown through their front window after leaving the party.

The child's father, Alan Dougherty, 21, of Wordsworth Avenue, Wheatley Hill, pleaded guilty to assault. He was sentenced to a community punishment order for 100 hours.

Paul Martin, 35, of the same address, pleaded guilty to assault and criminal damage. He was sentenced to a community rehabilitation order for 18 months.

Paul Dougherty, 17, of the same address, pleaded guilty to assault. He was sentenced a community punishment order for 100 hours.

Christopher Bradley, 17, of the same address, pleaded guilty to affray. He was sentenced to a community punishment order for 40 hours.

The child's step-grandmother, Paula Dougherty, 34, pleaded guilty to affray. She was sentenced to a community rehabilitation order for 18 months.