Thug jailed for High Street brawl in Stourbridge (From Stourbridge News)

Thug jailed for High Street brawl in Stourbridge

10:08am Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in News

A THUG with a long criminal record has been jailed for brandishing a crowbar during an ugly brawl in Stourbridge.

At Wolverhampton Crown Court, father-of-one, Lea Brown, aged 27, was caged for 20 months for his part in a running battle in the town's High Street.

The fight took place between two groups of young men and Brown was jumping around waving the weapon after it was passed to him by someone in a blue Renault car.

Alka Brigue, prosecuting, told the court Brown appeared to strike out with the crowbar but it was not clear if contact had been made after viewing CCTV of the incident.

Two women then tried to take the crowbar from Brown but he refused to hand it over and it was later found in a nearby drain.

Brown, of Tanfield Road, Dudley, admitted affray and Judge John Warner ruled immediate custody was the only option because of his "bad" criminal record.

The judge said: "This was a situation where other members of the public were present. It was the sort of public disorder that unfortunately affects towns and cities all over the country."

Jas Mann, for Brown, said his client had been on a night out with friends and no-one had anticipated trouble breaking out in Stourbridge.

He said Brown accepted the incident would have caused "fright or terror" to those out enjoying a night on the town and added: "He has no idea his friend had an iron bar. It was passed to him."

The court was told Brown had a long list of previous convictions for offences including affray, the possession of offensive weapons and drugs offences.