FOUR Welshmen who went on the rampage while on a stag night in Worcester were freed from jail after a court heard their womenfolk need them to come home.
Carl Davies, aged 48, Garry Andrew Davies, 44, and father and son, Steven Cullen, 46, and Leon James Cullen, 21, were each jailed for 18 months after admitting violent disorder at Worcester Crown Court in August this year. They were sentenced on September 8.
Mrs Justice Rafferty said the four were part of a 30-strong stag party outing that travelled from Cardiff to Worcester on a day-trip on May 19 last year – Cup Final Day.
“Unsurprisingly alcohol was not in short supply,” the judge commented.
Violence began at Lloyds Bar in the city after Carl and Garry Davies, and Steven Cullen, tried to push past a group of doormen who were denying entry to them and other revellers.
The “turbulence” began when Carl Davies, of Blackwell Close, Barry, South Wales, struck one of the doormen, and he and the other two “forced entry”.
Leon Cullen, of Hengoed Close, Cardiff, joined in the mayhem when he saw his father on the floor “surrounded by doormen”. He hit a bouncer over the head with a bottle and punched another man before going upstairs to “rearrange chairs”. His lawyers said Leon joined in to protect his father.
Although the fracas lasted 30 minutes and involved a throng of men – some armed – Mrs Justice Rafferty said none of the four appellants had brandished a weapon, while their part in the violence had been short-lived.
“Gratuitous thuggery by men old enough to know better – and certainly old enough to control their own sons – certainly troubled the sentencing judge,” said Mrs Justice Rafferty.
Cases of violence in public places had to be deterred since they caused deep concern to ordinary people, she added. But all four men were of previous good character, holding down regular jobs.
Carl Davies is a former soldier and a family man and “not used to drinking in quantity”, said the judge.
Leon Cullen has recently fathered a child and is deeply remorseful, Mrs Justice Rafferty commented, adding: “His mother wants him home.”
Of Leon’s father, Steven Cullen, the judge said: “He would be welcomed back by Mrs Cullen and can return to his job as a builder”.
Addressing the case of Garry Davies, of Heol Carnau, Cardiff, she said simply: “His wife wants him back”.
All four men’s jail terms were quashed, with the Appeal Court substituting nine-month sentences, suspended for 18 months. The four will also have to carry out 150 hours unpaid work.
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