Thugs involved in huge Warrington town centre brawl avoid jail

The incident involved a fight between around 25 people which broke out at The Hop Pole after England lost the Euro 2020 final.

One member of staff who has worked in pubs for more than 10 years said it was the most violent incident she had ever witnessed.

Trevor Newton, Joshua Wright, Teddy Pearson, Michael Newton, Owen Canning, George Fletcher, and Chra Hasan appeared before Liverpool Crown Court for sentencing on Friday after all pleading guilty to affray.

Prosecuting, David Watson said the incident happened in the Horsemarket Street pub on July 11 after the Euro final.

Mr Watson said the pub was very busy with around 75 people there. He said during the match the sole security staff on shift noticed that one group of around 12 young men were ‘causing some issues’ with their behaviour.

Out of this group, two members were continually standing up and not listening to advice from staff.

The court heard at around 10.45pm when the match ended and England had lost, the atmosphere in the pub ‘changed remarkably’.

From here, the security guard noticed an altercation between the group of younger men he had noticed earlier and a group of older men.

“Violence escalated quickly across the pub and the single security staff member on duty struggled to cope,” said Mr Watson.

“Glasses were thrown and tables were turned over.”

Mr Watson said how a staff member with more than 10 years of experience of working in pubs described the incident as ‘the most violent’ she had ever witnessed.

“Police officers who attended the immediate aftermath describe the scene as something from the ‘Wild West’,” he added.

 “It is surprising in those circumstances that no person reported serious injuries as a result of the violence.

“It is clear from the footage that some level of injury was caused.”

CCTV footage was shown to the court which highlighted each defendant’s violent involvement in the brawl.

Trevor Newton, 55, of Valley Court, Padgate, can be seen running across the pub and punching a man before getting a second person in a headlock on the floor.

Wright, 24, of Station Road, is shown repeatedly punching people – including one who was being held down.

Pearson, 24, of Secker Avenue, Latchford, threw a number of punches, including ones from behind.

Pearson was jailed in January 2022 (Image: Image: Cheshire Police)

Michael Newton, 28, of Chicago Place, Chapelford, can be seen punching a number of men.

Canning, 23, of Church Street, also threw a number of punches – including repeated ones from behind.

Fletcher, 23, of Withycombe Road, Penketh, is shown putting a man in a headlock, is shown giving a ‘flying kick’ to a man on the floor and throwing punches.

And Hasan, 21, of Santa Rosa Boulevard, Great Sankey, is shown holding a glass, kicking and punching people.

The court heard how Trevor Newton, Michael Newton, Canning, Hasan and Fletcher are men of previous good character.

While Pearson and Wright each have a number of previous convictions.

Defending Trevor Newton, Jeremy Rawson said he was not an ‘initiator’ in the brawl and that for him, it was ’37 seconds of madness’.

Mr Rawson said that in his client’s references, he is highly spoken of and described as a solid and trustworthy individual.

Defending Wright, David Rose said: “I ask you to consider the Joshua Wright then, during a period of reckless behaviour, and the Joshua Wright that is now.

“He has turned his life around and addressed the underlying causes of his offending behaviour.”

Defending Pearson, Paul Becker told Liverpool Crown Court: “His best mitigation is his guilty plea.

“There is very little I can say about what was disgraceful violence.

“The defendant has expressed appropriate remorse and regret.”

Liverpool Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Defending Michael Newton, Jim Smith claimed his client had a ‘lesser role’ in the brawl and ‘deeply regrets’ his actions.

He said that Newton is spoken highly of in reference in relationship to his good nature and willingness to help others.

Canning, Hasan and Fletcher were all represented by Simeon Evans.

Mr Evans told the court: “All of them have no previous convictions and have had no problems since this incident.

“All three of them are hardworking and in full-time employment.

“All of these young men have expressed their remorse and are shocked and embarrassed.”

Concluding, Judge Stuart Driver KC said: “These are offences that arose from serious violence.

“There was serious and substantial violence.

“And in my judgement, serious harm and distress were caused to a number of people.”

Due to their previous good character, Canning, Fletcher and Hasan received an eight-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months.

While Trevor and Michael Newton received a nine-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months.

Addressing Pearson and Wright, Judge Driver said: “I have distinguished you both because of your criminal records.”

But the pair’s sentences were suspended due to ‘recent progress’ in their behaviour.

They received 15 months in prison suspended for 18 months and must complete up to 100 hours of unpaid work.