Five sentenced after Wrexham family argument turns to violence

John Rogers, of Stratford Close in Acton, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Thursday for sentence.

The 39-year-old had previously admitted an offence of affray, which happened in Chester Street, Wrexham, in July last year - and involved four other Wrexham-based co-defendants who have already been sentenced.

The Long Pull pub in Wrexham. Image: Google

Also involved were 61-year-old Gavin Randles and 54-year-old Yvonne Moore, both of Empress Road, 43-year-old Samantha Hughes, of Stratford Close, and 46-year-old Michael Hughes, of Coed Aben.

Sarah Badrawy, prosecuting, said all five of the defendants came together in the Long Pull pub in Chester Street.

Before long, a verbal argument began between them which escalated into violence.

They left the pub, and in a "protracted" incident which was captured on CCTV, the five got into an altercation.

During the scuffle, a food delivery man on a bicycle can be seen trying to get between the defendants to de-escalate the situation, but he was not successful.

John Rogers, Michael Hughes, Samantha Hughes. Image: CPS

Towards the end of the incident, John Rogers elbowed Gavin Randles to the face, knocking him unconscious.

In the footage, shown to the court, Randles can be seen collapsing to the ground while Rogers walks off down the street.

Henry Hills, defending, told the court: "This was, in my submission, an episode of madness.

"His emotions got the better of him.

"The first thing he said to me today was 'I'm ashamed of my behaviour."

The court heard all co-defendants involved in the affray are "all basically some form of extended family."

Mr Hills said: "He doesn't seek to excuse his behaviour, but he's not a big drinker.

"He has a strong work ethic. In a previous job he was a support worker for people with learning difficulties and he recently returned to his old job of traffic management."

Judge Rhys Rowlands told Mr Hills: "We have seen cases like this where people haven't got back up off the ground when they fall heavily.

"It's a very unsavoury spectacle."

READ MORE: Community order for man who attacked and dragged partner in the street

Rogers elbows Randles to the face. Images: CPS

But the Judge also said Randles and Michael Hughes were "well up for" the altercation, having followed the defendant up the road after the argument.

The Judge told John Rogers: "The trigger for the violence appears to have been an argument of a sensitive nature - it's difficult for anyone who follows the sentence I am about to impose to appreciate part of the reasons for it without knowing the nature of that disagreement. 

"But there was a degree of provocation here; [the details of] which can't be in the public domain.

"You had been drinking - plainly far too much.

"It can be summed up as a family dispute which got very much out of hand with your taking the leading role at the end.

"You kicked out at [Randles] and elbowed him.

"He fell back - I think the vernacular is 'sparked out.'

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Randles was "sparked out" on the street, the court heard. Images: CPS

"It was disgraceful street violence."

However the Judge said it was entirely out of character and is unlikely to be repeated.

John Rogers received an eight month sentence, suspended for 18 months.
He must pay a £1,000 fine, £420 costs and a £156 surcharge.

Regarding the other defendants, who appeared for sentence at Wrexham Magistrates Court earlier this month;

• Gavin Randles received a £200 fine, £34 victim surcharge, £85 costs.
• Yvonne Moore received a £242 fine, £34 victim surcharge, £200 costs.
• Michael Hughes received a £583 fine, £58 victim surcharge, £85 costs.
• Samantha Hughes received a 12 month community order with 20 days of rehabilitation activity and a £120 fine, £95 victim surcharge, £85 costs.

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