VIOLENCE erupted in Yates's Wine Lodge in Kidderminster town centre when three drunken men burst in and began attacking customers, Worcester Crown Court was told.

Six members of the public were injured, including three who needed hospital treatment, and a chair, table and glass were thrown, said William Rickarby, prosecuting.

Sending all three defendants to custody, Judge Richard Rundell said it was a prolonged incident of serious violence, which terrified innocent bystanders.

Kye Harden, aged 23, of Plimsoll Street, Lee Saunders, 19, of Betjaman Court, and Martin Downs, 24, of Kinver Avenue, all Kidderminster, admitted affray.

Harden was jailed for 18 months and Downs for 12 months. Saunders was sent to detention for 12 months and will also have to serve an extra six months of an unexpired sentence.

Kicked

There were about 60 people in the wine bar for a quiz evening on December 10 last year, said Mr Rickarby. The defendants were extremely drunk and began attacking Colin Morris.

A friend, John Turley, went to his aid but he too was punched and kicked. Other customers who tried to intervene were also attacked.

At one stage, Mrs Turley saw her husband's head being held to the floor and one of the accused inviting his accomplices to deliver kicks. She bravely threw herself on top of her husband in a bid to protect him.

Mr Rickarby said there had been extremely vicious and unprovoked violence. All three men, when arrested, said they were too drunk to remember what had happened.

Harden had been before courts on 11 occasions for 26 offences but Ranjit Lallie, defending, said his life had changed since the birth of his daughter in February. He now had a job and had shown remorse.

Nicolas Cartwright, for Saunders, said he had formed a relationship with a girl since his release from the four-year sentence last July. She had had a stabilising effect upon him.

Downs had "a terribly destructive weakness for alcohol" said his barrister, Christopher O'Gorman. This had led him to place his lifestyle and livelihood in jeopardy.

The judge said that although the incident lasted only seven minutes, it must have seemed "like eternity" for the innocent people in the bar.