Seven Sentenced Over Butlins Brawl

Seven men have been sentenced after they got involved in a huge fight at Butlins in Bognor Regis.

At around 12.20am on Saturday 5 November, 2011, police were called to the holiday resort after a fight broke out which resulted in six people being taken to hospital.

Craigh Whittam, 28, of Brittannia Drive, Gravesend, received three months' imprisonment suspended for two years, was ordered to carry out 120 hours' unpaid work and pay £650 costs for an offence of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

Andrew Wood, 29, of Portland Avenue, Gravesend, received four months' imprisonment suspended for two years, was ordered to carry out 150 hours' unpaid work and pay £750 costs for an offence of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

Daniel Asbury, 28, of Marks Square, Northfleet, received four months' imprisonment suspended for two years, was ordered to carry out 150 hours' unpaid work and pay £750 costs for an offence of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

Scott Robinson, 29, of York Road, Northfleet, was sentenced to eight months' imprisonment for an offence of assault and eight months' imprisonment for an offence of affray to run concurrently.

James Green, 35, of Stanley Crescent, Gravesend, received three years' imprisonment for an offence of causing grievous bodily harm and nine months' imprisonment for an offence of affray to run concurrently.

Sam Hedges, 28, of Lime Avenue, Northfleet, was sentenced to four months' imprisonment suspended for two years, was ordered to carry out 150 hours unpaid work and pay £750 costs for an offence of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

Farai Mutepfa, 28, of Childs Crescent, Swanscombe, was sentenced to three months' imprisonment suspended for two years, ordered to carry out 120 hours' unpaid work and pay £650 costs for an offence of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

They all pleaded guilty to the offences at previous hearings and were sentenced at Hove Crown Court.

They had all been staying at Butlins together when a row between them led to group being thrown out of a nightclub at the resort.

A fight then broke out between the men. During the fight security staff at the resort were assaulted while trying to separate the men. One of the security staff received serious, but not life-threatening, internal injuries as a result.

Detective Constable Della Squires of West Sussex CID said:

"While trying to carry out their jobs and maintain peace at the resort several security staff were assaulted, including one who received serious injuries.

"The seriousness of the offences is reflected in the sentences that were handed to the men by the court."