TWO men from Brierley Hill and their cousin from Tipton have been spared jail terms after they “behaved like children” during a row in a Black Country pub.

Geoffrey Dann, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court that Patrick, Anthony and Thomas Doherty clashed with other customers inside the Shireland Inn, in Smethwick.

Anthony Doherty, 31, and 25-year-old Patrick Doherty, both of High Street, Brierley Hill, each admitted affray.

Thomas Doherty, 27, of Wynn-Griffith Drive, Tipton, who played a lesser role in the incident, admitted a public order offence and he was placed on supervision for a year with £150 costs.

Recorder Jason Macadam said to the cousins: “This was pathetic, childlike behaviour by all concerned. Men of your age should know better.

“There was nothing manly, heroic or brave about this. Something was said or done that caused this incident to kick-off.

“Others who behaved just as badly as you were allowed to leave the pub. They had clearly been responsible for starting this trouble.”

The dispute came after a comment made about the wife of one of the men and the two groups picked up pool cues while there was pushing and shoving.

A snooker ball was also thrown, added Mr Dann, with one man tearing off his shirt as the two factions goaded each other into a fight.

As police officers arrived at the pub, a bar stool was thrown and the men involved in the altercation, including the cousins, slipped out of the premises through a back door.

Anthony Doherty was given an eight month jail term, suspended for 18 months and further ordered to pay £800 costs, while Patrick Doherty received a 12 month prison sentence suspended for the same period with £150 costs.