TWO Cotswolds men were jailed today for what a judge described as highly violent and totally unjustified behaviour.

Paul Wilson, 27, of St John's Caravan Park, Lechlade, and Matthew Wilson, 25, of Sopwith Rd, Upper Rissington, both admitted an affray on September 22 last year. Paul Wilson also admitted assault occasioning actual bodily on Andrew Davis on the same day.

The court heard the pair had been to a family celebration before deciding to continue drinking at Riverside Public House in Lechlade.

Prosecutor Julian Kesner said Matthew Wilson was already so drunk that he was vomiting at the table when the victim's partner asked him to find a bathroom.

"Words were had but objection was taken to these words," Mr Kesner said.

The fight that ensued resulted in Mr Davis being lifted up by Paul Wilson. Mr Davis then fell back and hit his head on the edge of a table. While he was on the ground, he was hit, Mr Kesner said.

After a while the Wilsons left the pub but returned later with snooker cues and bar staff Emily Johnson described to police how children were crying and chairs were flying.

Defending the pair, Emily Durston said that, while the first incident was disputed, both men accepted having returned to the pub in search of retaliation.

"Paul Wilson picked up the pool cue, snapped it in half and gave one half to Matthew Wilson," she said. "But he picked up the pool cue to defend himself not to cause injury."

The Wilsons were also injured in the fight but were sincerely remorseful, Ms Durston said.

Since coverage of the event in local papers, Paul Wilson's ex-girlfriend had sought him out and the two married in March, Ms Durston said. She is now 20 weeks pregnant.

Matthew Wilson is a career driver whose life has also got back on track, Ms Durston added.

"He accepts he would binge drink but now that he has a new girlfriend to be with during the weekend and spend time with, he is a lot better."

Judge Martin Picton said those involved now had long-term physical and emotional problems because of the events of that evening.

"To go charging back into that pub armed and intent on violence is inexcusable," the judge said.

"By going into custody you both lose a lot but what you did was extremely violent and totally unjustified."

Paul Wilson was sentenced to 18 months in jail and Matthew Wilson was sentenced to 12 months in jail. Both were ordered to serve half of these sentences in custody before being eligible for release on licence.

10:50am Tuesday 13th May 2008

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