Tuesday 15 November 2022 07:17 PM Three members of same family are jailed over 50-person 'bloodbath' brawl during ... trends now
A wedding reception at a luxury hotel exploded into a violent 50-guest bloodbath after an argument between three man escalated into a mammoth brawl.
Over £18,000 worth of damage was inflicted on the Daresbury Park Hotel after the marriage descended into chaos.
The violence was so aggressive some of the guests had to barricade themselves into a function room for their own protection.
Yesterday three family members were jailed for their part in the huge fight.
Thomas Stokes, 30, Edward William Stokes, 28, Terry Stokes, 36, were among 11 men charged after the fracas.
A fourth man, Edward Stokes, 50, was given a suspended prison sentence for his part in the carnage at the posh venue, which charges up to £5,000 for a wedding package
Police were initially forced to retreat from the Hotel in Warrington, Cheshire, when the punch-up began and armed officers were brought in to restore order.
Prosecutors described the incident as 'mayhem', with CCTV footage shown in court revealing that staff, wedding planners and children were present during the fight.
Chester Crown Court heard dozens of cops were called to the scene and 30 police cars flooded the area to contain the violent outbreak in June 2019.
At their sentencing hearing yesterday, Judge Simon Berkson said the events of the previously joyous day would have been 'truly shocking' for all those who attended.
Edward William Stokes, Terry Stokes and Thomas Stokes have all been jailed over the fight
The wedding had been a joyful occasion before the reception at the hotel suddenly kicked off
Four wedding-goers were handed prison sentences after a 50-person mass brawl turned the 'happy' event into an absolute 'bloodbath'
He said: 'The events of that day were truly shocking to anyone who saw them.. For those present and innocent, one can only imagine the fear.
'What should have been a happy occasion, a wedding, turned into a bloodbath.
'The suite was set up for a celebration, with a DJ playing music, people dancing and enjoying themselves. This came to an end when violence broke out.'
Prosecutor Robert Philpotts said the huge brawl erupted between up to 50 guests at the wedding reception at Daresbury Park Hotel, Warrington, Cheshire, on June 26, 2019.
He said at around 11 pm, the reception was in full swing, with 150 people expected in a function room on the first floor.
But by 11.15 pm, a barman saw three men arguing as he left to collect items from the main bar and when he returned, a huge fight between some 40 men had started.
CCTV footage played in court showed glasses and chairs being hurled
