A FORMER soldier and his brother have been banned from a pub for two years after a man suffered a broken ankle during a 'pointless and mindless' brawl.

Jonathan Hall, 27, along with his brother, Jack Hall, 28, became involved in a fight in the Lord Longworth pub in Thomas Street, Oswaldtwistle, on September 3.

The court heard how the ‘atmosphere changed’ after a man inside the pub, Mark Hinchcliffe, was told his daughter owed one of the brothers money.

With the fight in full swing, the court heard how Gavin Brierley was struck in the face and Thomas McSorley was kicked and punched.

Paul Cummings, prosecuting, said Mr McSorley suffered a broken ankle as he stood up.

He said: “Mr McSorley remembers being in the pub, getting himself a drink, and an argument about money.

"He was knocked to the floor and received punches and blows to his head. At one stage he thought he was being kicked.

"He tried to get up and realised his ankle was broken. He was punched and kicked.

“Gavin Brierley assisted the complainant, when he saw Mr McSorley being punched he went over to assist him. He was also assaulted and punched in the face. His glasses broke and caused damage to his face.”

The court heard how Mr McSorley’s ankle was operated on and pins were put into his leg. He could not put weight on it for six weeks.

Paul Hodgkinson, defending Jack Hall, said his client was offering to pay compensation to McSorley for the pain he had caused.

Mr Hodgkinson said: "That morning the brothers had been to a christening and they consumed a lot of alcohol.

“He appreciates the harm he caused to the victim. He is a hard-working young man who looks after his family and partner.”

Jack Hall, of Shadsworth Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm and was given a suspended 10-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, ordered to complete 150 hours unpaid work, was given a curfew from 9pm to 6am and ordered to pay £2,000 in compensation by August 31 to Mr McSorley, as well as not being allowed into the Lord Longworth pub for two years.

Jonathan Hall, of the same address, pleaded guilty to affray and was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, given a 12-month community order and was also banned from the pub for two years.

Judge Simon Medland QC said: “Jonathan, you are a former law student and an army officer recruit. All of this is completely pointless and mindless violence.”