The father of a bride-to-be, her then-fiancé and two other relatives have been jailed after their engagement party ended in a mass brawl but no wedding after the couple split up.
Peter Jones, 52, whose daughter was celebrating her engagement to her betrothed Kevin Rutherford, 36, became involved in the disorder in the foyer of Newhouse Club and Institute in Esh Winning, County Durham.
Rutherford’s brother, Andrew, 34, and their cousin Gareth Laidman, 30, were also dealt with at Durham Crown Court following the incident shortly after midnight on April 7, 2018.
The court heard the spark was Jones angrily banging a door, amid complaints of underage drinking and uninvited people attending the function.
Keving Rutherford (left) and his brother Andrew (right) have been jailed after admitting affray
Gareth Laidman (pictured) also admitted affray following the fight sparked by a row about underage drinking
Chris Wood, prosecuting, said the steward, who was clearing up, stated that no one under 18 was served with alcohol during the evening.
Several people appeared to try to calm the still-agitated Jones, but Laidman grabbed him by the face, leading to a fight developing, drawing in the Rutherford brothers.
