Three men have been sentenced for their part in an unprovoked brawl in a South Oxhey pub last year.

Karl Hartnell, Adam Mullin and Ryan Finn were arrested after a man was subjected to an “unprovoked attack” while drinking at The Ox pub, in Bridlington Road, on April 23 last year.

The man was later taken to hospital with head injuries after he was “glassed” on the back of his head, before being kicked and punched. He then escaped to the toilets, and was attacked again.

The fight then spilled back into the main bar before it was split up by a barman. A police officer also received hospital treatment after suffering a knee injury.

Speaking at the time, the landlord of the Bridlington Road pub, said: “I didn't recognise any of the people involved, but it was a very busy day on Friday.

“I've never had any problems before on St George's Day, it should be a celebration but on this particular day it wasn't to be.”

The group was given a total custodial sentence of more than two and a half years, and fined almost £4,000 at St Albans Crown Court on Friday.

Hartnell, 25, of Brookside Road, Watford.

  • Charged with affray, and received a 39 week custodial sentence suspended for two years.
  • 120 hours of unpaid work.
  • Tagged and is subject of a curfew for 12 weeks.
  • Made to pay £1175 court costs, and given a two year licensed premises exclusion order.

Mullin, 24, of Birkdale Gardens, Watford

  • Charged with affray and received a 39 week custodial sentence, suspended for two years, supervised for 18 months.
  • Tagged, subjected to a curfew for 12 weeks.
  • Made to pay court costs of £1175.
  • Placed on a two month aggression replacement programme and given a two year licensed premises exclusion order.

Finn, 30, of Muirfield Road, Watford

  • Received a 39 week custodial sentence, suspended for two years.
  • Ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, he has been tagged and must comply with a curfew for 12 weeks.
  • Made to pay court costs of £1175 and given a two year licensed premises exclusion order.

Luke Mitchell, South Oxhey safer neighbourhoods sergeant, said: “This was a detailed and thorough investigation by officers from the South Oxhey Neighbourhood Team who were committed to making those persons who let the community down so badly answer to the courts.

“Our message is clear - violence will not be tolerated in South Oxhey. The message this St George’s Day is that people should celebrate and have fun, but do so responsibly and with consideration for others.”

Kevin Maj, 26, formerly of Muirfield Road, Watford, was found not guilty of affray, but was found guilty of possession of cannabis. He was fined £150, with £150 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.