Three jailed for part in assaults during stag do
A TRIO of drunk stag do members caused “mayhem” by attacking innocent pubgoers and police officers, a court heard.
The incident in Abergavenny left one woman unconscious after being stamped on the head, a police officer bitten on the leg and a Tesco shopper punched in the face by one of the shirtless offenders.
Harley Southway and brothers Jack Bennett and Clive Bennett were all involved in the drunken fracas in June 2019.
Newport Crown Court heard the trio were part of the “absolutely disgraceful incident” on Frogmore Street.
The three defendants were part of a larger group of around 10 to 12 men drinking in Abergavenny.
The group first tried to enter a Wetherspoons at around 5.20pm, but the manager said they were “heavily intoxicated” and they were asked to leave.
The group moved to the Auberge pub on Frogmore Street, and instead of trying to enter as one large group, they split into smaller groups to avoid being seen as a stag do.
Members of the group eventually entered the pub and an argument broke out in the beer garden.
Nigel Fryer, prosecuting, said another drinker, Russell Wincott, was “set upon” by the group and was “kicked and punched repeatedly”.
Mr Fryer said CCTV shows Jack Bennett, 26, and Southway, 28, throwing punches during the attack before a larger fight breaks out.
Another customer, Anne-Marie Doolan, followed the group inside the pub after trying to calm the situation in the garden.
Mr Fryer said: “She was thrown to the floor by [Jack] Bennett and Southway. Jack Bennett then stamped on her head in a sickening display of violence against a defenceless female. The blow knocked her unconscious.”
In a victim impact statement, Ms Doolan said the attack made her “feel very anxious” and “very worried”.
Other members of the group carried on fighting amongst themselves and with other drinkers, all in front of
stunned customers and children. Police were called and PC Teague and PC Smallwood arrived at the scene.
By the time they arrived the group had dispersed into the street, but Southway decided to enter the Tesco store next door to the pub.
Mr Fryer said: “He was shirtless and intensely aggressive; shouting, ‘Who is the hardest man in here?’
“He then approached Simon Van Beers, who was shopping. He shouted at him and without warning punched him to the right side of his mouth, causing his glasses to come off and him to stumble. Southway asked, ‘Do you want a fight?’”
The two officers found Southway, who tried to run off before being Tasered.
The court heard that the larger group were still in the street threatening members of the public and the two police officers.
PC Teague then attempted to arrest Daniel Bennett, the brother of Jack and 27-year-old Clive Bennett, in the street.
Mr Fryer said: “Clive Bennett rugby tacked the officer to prevent the arrest and the three men ended up on the ground. PC Teague felt a sharp pain to his lower left leg and realised that Bennett had bitten him with such force it caused him to flinch in pain.
“Bennett continued to bite, and the officer had no option but to kick him in the face three or four times. This caused Bennett to bite down even harder. Eventually, PC Teague managed to kick him off.”
Jack Bennett was seen outside the pub threatening a member of the public and was arrested by officers.
Southway was described as “uncontrolled” and was taken to Nevill Hall Hospital after his arrest. He continued to be aggressive, and while waiting for treatment he told one police officer “I’m going to f**king kick you”.
Southway then managed to wrap his legs around one of the officer’s legs and “squeezed it with force”. He eventually let go after being struck by the officer.
Judge Richard Twomlow said: “This was an absolutely disgraceful incident, where drunken young men caused mayhem in Abergavenny.”
The trio was later interviewed by officers, with Jack and Clive Bennett telling police they had little recollection of the events. Southway gave no comment to all questions.
Thomas Stanway, defending Jack Bennett, of no fixed abode, said the incident was “wholly out of character” and the dad-of-three experienced a “moment of madness”.
Mr Stanway said when his client saw the CCTV from inside the pub he was “disgusted” and feels “remorse”.
Hilary Roberts, defending Southway, of Roundhouse Close, Brynmawr, said he was also “horrified and ashamed” after seeing the CCTV footage.
Clive Bennett was left unconscious and in a coma for 24 hours after being kicked by the police officer he bit, James Evans, defending, told the court.
He added his client was “genuinely remorseful” for his actions and that he had attempted to break up the fight inside the pub.
Southway was handed a total of 18 months in prison for affray, ABH and assault.
Jack Bennett received a total of 12 months for affray and ABH. Clive Bennett, of Y Waun Helyg, Brynmawr, was handed six months for affray.
All three had previously pleaded guilty to all charges. They will each serve half before being released on licence.