Violence erupted amongst the crowd at a fight night organised by a Gurkha boxing club yesterday.

Punches and chairs were thrown by members of the audience during the evening, which was run by the Maidstone Gurkha Boxing Club at the New Line Learning Academy in Boughton Lane, Loose.

A man is also reported to have been firing missiles with a catapult as the violence escalated out of control.

Kent Police was called at 8.25pm but were unable to find any offenders.

Jasper Gerard, the Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Maidstone and the Weald witnessed the brawl.

He was presenting prizes to the winners of bouts and said the violence started at the beginning of a mid session food break.

He said: “It was completely irresponsible and disgraceful.

“It happened just at the start of the break when there was a stampede. I thought people were going to get food, then there were chairs flying everywhere. There was also a guy with some sort of catapult.

“It looked like two rival gangs. There were chairs flying everywhere.

“I have never seen anything get so out of hand.

“There was a mother with two young children in tears and I tried to comfort her. It was pretty out of hand. It went on for about five or 10 minutes.

“I don’t think it was related to the boxing.

“The boxing was of a very high standard. It was done with real spirit and is a real tribute to the ex Gurkhas who train the youngsters to channel their energy into something positive and competitive like that.”

The offenders fled before police arrived and the evening continued without any further disturbance.

Jhapat Bhujel, owner of the boxing club, said he was disappointed by the scenes and added that the club had nothing to do with any of it.

"I heard these guys came down from Tenterden. They came down to cause trouble," he said.

"We continued after they left, we didn't want them to ruin it."

The hall had been privately let by the boxing club to put on the event.

A school spokesman said: "We are exceptionally disappointed by the events of Saturday evening. This was a private letting and as such is not connected to New Line Learning (NLL).

"We have a great sympathy with the Gurkha community who hosted this event.

"They have been holding events at NLL for the last three years with great success and without incident.

"We have contacted the police today to offer our support with any further enquires."

A Kent Police spokesman said: "We were called at 8.25pm on Saturday, March 21 following a report of a wide-scale disturbance at an academy in Boughton Lane, Maidstone.

"Officers are currently reviewing CCTV footage and photos taken at the scene to identify those involved.

"Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting reference 21-1323."

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