A mother and son have denied being the instigators of a bar brawl at a Maidstone pub.

Teri Irving, also known as Batten and of Woodford Road, Barming, and Lloyd Lalji, of Brishing Lane, Park Wood, were both drinking at The Old House at Home, in Maidstone, on January 28 when violence broke out.

Maidstone Magistrates’ Court heard how Irving was involved in an altercation with another punter at 11pm which prompted bar man Jordan Moorcroft to separate the pair.

In the ensuing melee the 42-year-old allegedly scratched him, causing fairly significant cuts to his nose and neck and knocking his glasses off.

Lalji, 20, then came to her aid, allegedly producing a cut throat razor and waving it at Mr Moorcroft.

Another man became involved and suffered cuts to his hand but it is unclear how severe they were as he left the pub before police got there.

The court heard as the violence escalated a fourth man intervened, with Lalji chasing him from the Pudding Lane venue while slashing at him with the razor.

The victim fell over further down the road but before Lalji could reach him he was tackled to the ground and restrained.

But Jag Takk, defending, said his client had only produced the razor in self defence as a group of people were ganging up on him and his mother and he feared for their safety.

Lalji denied affray and assault but admitted possessing the razor, claiming he had found it during the night out and intended to take it home and use it to shave with. Irving denied assault.

The case was adjourned until October 4 and 5 for a trial at Medway Magistrates’ Court.

They were released on conditional bail not to go to the Old House at Home and not to contact any witnesses.