Men in thirty-strong Worcester brawl likened to 'pack of wild animals'

Known street fighter Jack Lowry, 21, was jailed for his part in the fight at a taxi rank outside Cafe Cadena in The Cross in Worcester city centre.

When arrested he became aggressive towards police officers as he tried to flee the scene, refusing to give his details, and had to be bundled into a cell.

His co-defendants, Harry Saunders, 22, and Preston Evis-Cannaway, 21, both received community penalties for their role in the fight when the three men appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Friday.

All three told officers in interview they were 'very drunk at the time', the prosecutor said.

The brawl, which lasted for around 10 minutes, took place on Friday, July 31 last year. Door supervisor Josh Richards described the three men as being 'heavily in drink' and behaving rowdily and shouting when they approached a second group of males.

Katie Fox, prosecuting, said in the aftermath of the violence Mr Richards had seen a man with a bleeding nose. "He describes the defendant's group as clearly looking for trouble and working like a pack of animals," she said.

The prosecutor added: "Police were quickly on the scene. They described seeing between 20 and 30 males punching and grabbing each other" said Katie Fox, prosecuting.

One officer saw Lowry throw one punch with his right hand which 'connected with the face of another male'.

"The officer tried to grab Lowry but he ran off. He was taken to the floor nearby by security guards. He was aggressive to police, trying to fight against his arrest.

They described him as obviously being very drunk.

On being taken into custody he remained aggressive, refusing to give his details and had to be physically forced into his cell" said Ms Fox.

It was accepted by the judge that Lowry had been provoked.

CCTV shows he was talking to the group and was 'being kept back by his girlfriend' and 'became involved after being hit'.

Saunders was 'taken hold of at the scene'. Ms Fox said: "He broke free and was seen to run aggressively towards the other group."

Saunders was taken to the floor where he became 'compliant' and volunteered that he had a small wrap of cocaine in his pocket for which he received no separate penalty.

CCTV showed he had thrown a right-hand punch that connected with the jaw of another male.

When Evis-Cannaway of Haywain Avenue, Warndon Villages, Worcester, was arrested he was trying to leave by taxi but a member of door staff identified him as being involved and as having barged into another male during the melee.

Lowry of Wolsey Close, Worcester, has seven previous convictions including for affray and section four public order in 2017, a section 5 public order offence and two assaults on police officers from 2018.

Saunders of Langdale Drive, Warndon, Worcester was of previous good character. Evis-Cannaway of Haywain Avenue, Warndon Villages, Worcester has a previous conviction for assault occasioning actual bodily harm from 2017.

Lowry who was earning between £25,000 and £30,000 as an accountant was jailed for six months after Judge James Burbidge QC said only 'immediate custody' was appropriate, telling him he was in 'a different position' to the other two defendants.

Judge Burbidge said to Lowry: "You appear to be intent on fighting in public. That cannot be tolerated. You are in work in a good job. You work hard. You are entitled to play hard.

"You are not entitled to play loose and engage in fights on the streets of Worcester city centre."

Saunders was handed a 12 month community order to include 80 hours of unpaid work. He must pay costs of £425 and a victim surcharge that will be calculated administratively.

Evis-Cannaway was also handed a 12 month community order to include 100 hours of unpaid work, 20 rehabilitation activity, £425 costs and a victim surcharge which will be calculated administratively.