Dudley father jailed for ugly Stourbridge brawl (From Dudley News)

Dudley father jailed for ugly Stourbridge brawl

8:20am Thursday 4th October 2012 in News

A 27 year-old Dudley father-of-one who was brandishing a crowbar during an ugly brawl in Stourbridge High Street has been locked up for 20 months.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard how a running battle took place between two groups of young men and Lea Brown was jumping around waving the weapon near the Wilkinson store after it was passed to him by someone in a blue Renault car.

He appeared to strike out with the crowbar, said Mrs Alka Brigue prosecuting, but it was not clear if contact had been made after viewing CCCV of the incident.

Two women then tried to take the crowbar from Brown, the court was told, but he refused to hand it over and it was later found in a nearby drain.

Brown of Tanfield Road, admitted affray and Judge John Warner ruled immediate custody was the only option because of his "bad" criminal record.

"This was a situation where other members of the public were present," said the judge. "It was the sort of public disorder that unfortunately affects towns and cities all over the country."

Mr Jas Mann defending said Brown had been on a night out with friends and no-one had anticipated trouble breaking out in Stourbridge.

He said Brown accepted the incident would have caused "fright or terror" to those out enjoying a night on the town and added: "He has no idea his friend had an iron bar. It was passed to him."

The court was told Brown had a long list of previous convictions for offences including affray, the possession of offensive weapons and drugs offences.