Family feud led to street brawl

AFEUD between two Macclesfield families turned to violence when members became involved in a street brawl.

Stephen Earles and Liam Coffey - whose families have been involved in a ‘long running feud’ - were arrested following the fight which took place outside Fever nightclub on Pickford Street during the early hours of the morning.

Chester Crown Court heard that the police were called after the pair pulled off their shirts and started ‘rolling around fighting each other’ in the street.

And when father-offive Earles was arrested he released the handbrake in the police car and it careered into a taxi causing £1,600 of damage.

Earles, 43, of Nicholson Avenue, Macclesfield, admitted affray and criminal damage at Chester Crown Court following the incident on March 5.

The court heard that Earles, who works as a plasterer, was with a group of friends at 3am when Liam Coffey, who is yet to face trial, approached.

CCTV shows the men take off their shirts and roll around fighting in the street.

Passers-by and doormen try to break them up but they carry on the brawl.

Prosecutor Peter Hussey said: “This was a sustained fight between the defendant and Liam Coffey caught on CCTV.

“Within seconds they confronted each other and were clearly up for a fight.

“Earles struck out with a glass and it smashed and they were rolling around fighting each other.

“Several people to pull them apart.

“They were both shirtless.”

He added that the taxi driver saw the defendant release the hand brake of the police car. tried

Defending, Milena Bennett said: “There has been a long running feud between the families, not particularly these men personally but the whole family. [Earles] accepts that he was heavily intoxicated.

“On the one hand he is a caring partner and dad of five but on the other he gets drunk and commits offences.”

Recorder Miss Bernadette Baxter said: “This type of drunken street violence is viewed as very serious in this court.

“In addition you released the hand brake rolling the police vehicle into a hardworking taxi driver’s car.

“If you commit further offences then prison is waiting.”

Earles was sentenced to eight months for affray and one month for criminal damage to run concurrently, suspended for 18 months.

He was also ordered to carry out a six month alcohol treatment requirement and 30 day rehabilitation activity.

He must pay £1,600 compensation and a £80 victim surcharge.

Liam Coffey, 25, of Century Way, Macclesfield pleaded not guilty to affray and faces trial on November 24.

“This kind of drunken violence is viewed as very serious in this court”