English Defence League (EDL) supporters became involved in ‘grotesque violence’ as they tried to get into a pub on their way back from a rally, a court heard.
The Express and Star reported EDL supporters from Rugeley and Tamworth and drinkers at a pub clashed in Nuneaton.
It led to six men being sentenced at Warwick Crown Court for their parts in the disorder.
But because of the long delay in the police getting the case to court following the incident in February 2011, all six were handed suspended prison sentences.
Christopher Tully, John Horton, Neil Grant and Daniel Edkins were all sentenced to eight months in prison suspended for 12 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder.
Tully, 26, of Tamworth was also ordered to do 130 hours of unpaid work and to pay £300 costs.
Horton, 44, of Rugeley, whose health problems make him unfit for unpaid work, was made subject to a 4pm to 3am electronically-tagged curfew for three months.
Grant, 45, of Nuneaton, was ordered to do 120 hours work and pay £300 costs, and Edkins, 31, of Nuneaton, to do 110 hours and to pay £100 costs.
Stephen Ginnelly, 52, of Nuneaton, who had also admitted violent disorder, and Douglas Tully, 25, of Dosthill, who had pleaded guilty to affray, were both sentenced to six months suspended for 12 months. They were both ordered to do 80 hours of unpaid work, with Ginnelly having to pay £100 costs and Douglas Tully £200.
A seventh man, Ross Gilbert, 27, of Rugeley, who had admitted violent disorder, failed to turn up at the court, and his case was adjourned.
The prosecutor said: “The disorder involved two groups. Both Tullys, together with Horton and Gilbert were part of the EDL group; and the second group was the other three defendants who were enjoying an evening in a pub in Nuneaton, the George Eliot in Bridge Street.
“The EDL group had been to Luton to an EDL demonstration. They got off the train and went into Nuneaton town centre. They bought some fish and chips and made their way to the George.”
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