Three Whitland men who took part in a mass brawl outside the village’s Station House pub have today received suspended prison sentences.

Liam James Price, aged 23, and his brother Louis David Price, 27, attacked the landlord, Michael Shaun Adams, and triggered a running fight that lasted 20 minutes.

Rhys Williams, aged 25, saw the melee as he drove past and joined in.

The brothers, both of North Road, admitted assaulting Mr. Adams causing him actual bodily harm. All three admitted affray and Louis Price also admitted damaging the entrance door to the pub in St. John’s Street.

Brian Simpson, prosecuting, said there had been bad blood between the trio and the landlord and at the time of the incident in May they had been barred.

But a shouting match began as the Price brothers stood outside a kebab shop on the opposite side of the road.

The row escalated when Louis Price ran across the road and headbutted Mr. Adams, who was then punched several times by both men.

Others joined in and when Williams arrived he was seen to kick an unidentified man as he lay on the ground.

The fighting was caught on a CCTV camera and the footage was played before Judge Keith Thomas at Swansea Crown Court.

James Hartson, the barrister representing Liam Price, said he was deeply ashamed at his role in an ugly incident. His conviction for violence might put an end to his involvement in children’s football, added the barrister.

Judge Thomas said all three were guilty of ‘sustained, mindless hooliganism’ that had dragged others into the violence.

“When a form of peace did break out, you made sure it didn’t last for long,” he added.

Louis Price had tried to escalate the violence still further by smashing his way into the pub.

Judge Thomas sentenced the men to 10 months in jail, suspended fro 18 months, and ordered them to carry out unpaid work for the local community.

He also ordered Louis Price to pay Mr. Adams £750 compensation, plus £55 for the damaged door, Liam Price was told to pay £750 compensation.

Judge Price said Williams had been involved in the fighting, but had not injured Mr. Adams, but he ordered him to pay the landlord £120 towards the cost of downloading the CCTV footage.

All three must also pay a £140 court surcharge.

In addition, Judge Thomas issued a restraining order banning the men from contacting Mr. Adams and from entering the Station House, or loitering outside, for the next three years.