9:48am Wednesday 29th August 2001
By Syreeta Lund
BRAWLERS who left a man battered and bruised after a flare-up outside a night club have been punished for the "revolting incident".
Aylesbury Crown Court heard on Monday how three men attacked Stephen Clark, kicking him as he was lying helpless on the floor following an argument.
The attackers, Marlon Allen, 19, of Laburnham Road, in Castlefield, High Wycombe, Matthew Doe, 25, of Sutton Close, Leighton Buzzard, and his friend Neil Templer, 23, of Clarence Road, Leighton Buzzard, were all involved in the fight.
All three pleaded guilty to assaulting Stephen Clark and occasioning him actual bodily harm on December 22 last year outside the Leisure Plaza at Central Milton Keynes.
Miss Jane Alt, prosecuting, told the court how Mr Clark had gone to make a phone call and got into an argument with Allen initially during which there was some pushing and shoving.
Then Doe became involved in an argument with Mr Clark and a fight started. Allen then came back and launched a kick as Mr Clark was on the ground, the court heard. They all kicked him.
Mr Clark suffered bruising and cuts to his face, back and shoulders, had hospital treatment and was said still to be suffering from headaches. The court was told that Allen had a previous conviction for violence and Doe and Templer were first time offenders.
Barristers for the defendants said they were remorseful and had been shocked by what they had done.
Judge Daniel Rodwell QC said it was "a revolting incident" and it was the duty of the courts to discourage brawling in public. It was a "very serious offence."
He gave Allen 15 months in a young offenders' institution. Doe was jailed for nine months and Templer was given a 220 hours community punishment order and ordered to pay Mr Clark £1,800 compensation.
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