A father and two sons have been given long jail sentences for “savage” violence that erupted after a row over barking dogs.

The attack using a machete, hammer, baseball bat and a golf club as weapons by members of one family on another happened on farmland in Hook Lane, Hucking, on November 25 last year.

Danny King lived in a caravan on the land known as Horseshoes and Johnny Friend, his girlfriend and their baby, then only two weeks old, lived in a barn opposite.

There was an argument over King’s barking dogs and the two men agreed to have a “straightener” – a fair fist fight.

But King summoned other family members and friends for support. Mr Friend’s concerned girlfriend called his parents and they headed there in their Land Rover.

John Friend senior, his wife Tracey and daughter Charlene suffered serious injuries as they walked to the barn. It was witnessed by Mr and Mrs Friend’s 11-year-old daughter.

Mrs Friend was to describe their attackers as “like a pack of rabid dogs”.

Danny King’s brother Joseph, 20, was sentenced to 10 years and two months youth custody.

His father, also Joseph, 39, was jailed for nine years and eight months and another son, Bill King, 19, was sentenced to the same term in youth custody.

Danny King, 19, Jimmy Price, 21, and Abraham Rossiter, 30, were each locked up for 22 months.

Joseph King senior, of New Road, Ditton, admitted two offences of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Joseph King junior, of the same address, admitted one offence of wounding with intent and two of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

William King, of Medina Road, Ditton, admitted one offence of wounding with intent and one of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Danny King, of New Road, Ditton, Price, of Stockett Lane, Coxheath, and Rossiter, of Medina Road, Ditton, admitted violent disorder.

Prosecutor Abigail Husbands told Maidstone Crown Court: “They were intent on causing serious injury to settle an argument about a dog.

“They wanted to send a message that no-one messes with the Kings. They succeeded in causing serious injuries.”

John and Charlene Friend suffered fractured skulls and other injuries.

Johnny Friend had a wound to the back of his head as a result of being struck by a machete wielded by Joseph King junior.

Joseph King senior stabbed Johnny Friend in the arm with a knife. Tracey Friend was also injured.

Members of the Friend family were brought into court through a door normally only used for jurors and kept on the far side of the court away from the public gallery packed with members of the King family and friends.

Abuse was shouted at the victims’ family as the five men were led to the cells.

Judge Philip St John-Stevens had called for calm in the “highly charged” case before passing sentence.

He told the five: “The fact is this was violence with these weapons causing very significant injuries. An 11-year-old child was witnessing savage violence.”

The judge said such a violent and ferocious attack could not be understated.