TWO brothers who got involved in a fight with a knifeman on the street, have both been locked up for six months.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Paul Dwyer, 34, and father-of-two, Michael Dwyer, 28, were in an early afternoon confrontation with the man in Smith Street, Nelson.

Paul Dwyer was armed with nunchucks and Michael Dwyer smashed a house window.

The brothers fled when police arrived, but were later arrested.

Paul Dwyer, of Phillips Street, Barnoldswick and Michael Dwyer, of Townley Street, Colne, both admitted affray, last November 14.

Both have records and Paul Dwyer has more than 145 previous convictions. Martin Hackett, for Paul Dwyer said: “It was an ugly incident. He accepts it has to be custody.”

For Michael Dwyer, Philip Holden, said the defendant and his brother were at the house when the man, a long standing heroin addict, turned up to buy drugs.

There was an argument between his brother and the man and he went to help his brother. Mr Holden said: “He didn’t have any weapon himself. He accepts breaking the window. His role was to assist his brother and be present.”

Sentencing, Judge Beverley Lunt said there was no doubt the other man was wielding a very large knife, but the defendants nevertheless were out in the street, shouting and swearing.

She told the Dwyers that with their records, it had to be custody and said: “You know that behaviour is not acceptable.”