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Newbury Racecourse stag party brawl men not guilty | Newbury Racecourse stag party brawl men not guilty |
(35 minutes later) | |
Four men on a stag party caught up in a mass brawl at a racecourse between rival football supporters have been acquitted of affray. | Four men on a stag party caught up in a mass brawl at a racecourse between rival football supporters have been acquitted of affray. |
The men, all members of Gorseinon Rugby Club, were on a trip to Newbury races in July last year. | |
Between races, pockets of fighting lasting up to 15 minutes broke out between about 70 rival Cardiff City and Swansea City supporters. | Between races, pockets of fighting lasting up to 15 minutes broke out between about 70 rival Cardiff City and Swansea City supporters. |
The men pleaded self-defence as they found themselves caught in the middle. | The men pleaded self-defence as they found themselves caught in the middle. |
Robert Jenkins, 32, of Heathfield, Gorseinon; Ryan Thomas, 30, Brynffynon Road, Gorseinon; Joshua Davies, 25, of Priors Way, Dunvant; and David Jenkins, 32, of Gryn Rhos, Llanelli were all on an 80-strong stag party with fellow members of Gorseinon Rugby Club, near Llanelli. | Robert Jenkins, 32, of Heathfield, Gorseinon; Ryan Thomas, 30, Brynffynon Road, Gorseinon; Joshua Davies, 25, of Priors Way, Dunvant; and David Jenkins, 32, of Gryn Rhos, Llanelli were all on an 80-strong stag party with fellow members of Gorseinon Rugby Club, near Llanelli. |
Robert Jenkins was left semi-conscious from injuries he received during the fighting. | Robert Jenkins was left semi-conscious from injuries he received during the fighting. |
Wales and British Lions full-back Leigh Halfpenny was also in the group from the rugby club, but not involved in any of the disturbance. | |
During the trial at Reading Crown Court, the jury was shown footage of the fighting from both YouTube and from Channel 4's coverage of the racing. | During the trial at Reading Crown Court, the jury was shown footage of the fighting from both YouTube and from Channel 4's coverage of the racing. |
It took the jury less than three hours to acquit the men. | It took the jury less than three hours to acquit the men. |
All four were visibly relieved as the verdicts were read out, hugging each other and relatives in the public gallery as they left court following the nine-day trial. | All four were visibly relieved as the verdicts were read out, hugging each other and relatives in the public gallery as they left court following the nine-day trial. |
The men declined to comment following the verdict. | The men declined to comment following the verdict. |
Four other men who have already admitted affray in connection with the fight will be sentenced at a later date. |
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