Chaos in seaside town’s holiday park as families brawl in front of kids | UK | News


A chaotic and large-scale brawl, which broke out at a holiday park in Northumberland earlier this year, has ended up in court this week. 

Haggerston Castle Holiday Park, near Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, is advertised as perfect for children and an escape for families. However, the holiday park turned ugly on the evening of March 17 this year, with terrified and crying children left clinging to their parents.

The Newcastle Crown Court heard this week that trouble flared up at the holiday park’s dining area. A fight broke out inside the park’s lounge bar at around 9pm as a dispute between two families descended into a 20-person brawl, reports Chronicle Live. 

John Ward, who was in court, was not involved in the initial scuffle but “saw red” when he saw his mother being “dragged out” by security staff. Ward threw a punch at someone’s face, tried to smash one glass, and did smash a gin glass, the court heard.

Matthew Hopkins, prosecuting, explained: “It involved a large number of people, perhaps 15 or 20 at times and it was caught on CCTV. Essentially there was a fight between some women, a security guard tried to move the women away and the defendant saw that and went charging in.”

After Ward smashed the gin glass, he was “put into a bear hug by a security guard and was told to drop the glass, which he did”.

CCTV footage shared with the court showed children looking on as the fight erupted. Mr Hopkins pointed out that “some of [the children] are crying in the footage and holding onto their parents”. He added that it was “inconceivable that there was no serious fear and distress caused”.

Judge Gavin Doig said it was a “quite large scale” and “unpleasant” incident.

He added: “I’ve seen children present. There would have been serious fear or distress caused to, probably, a whole series of members of the public, young and old, by your actions.”

Ward, who has 12 previous convictions, pled guilty to affray and possessing an offensive weapon. He was handed an 18-month suspended jail term. The 23-year-old man, who lives at Lake View Caravan Park in Stoke-on-Trent, was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and a “thinking skills programme”.

Liam O’Brien, defending, said: “He is quite an immature 23-year-old. He lost a series of family members and his family travelled to the caravan park to try to put that behind him and have a nice time.

“He was not involved in the initial tension that led to people being escorted from the main dining area. He looked up and saw his mother being dragged out of the room and being abused by some other men on the other side of the dispute. He simply saw red and thought his mother was being mistreated. He accepts his response was completely disproportionate and he should not have behaved as he did.”

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