Maidstone Crown Court, where the three were sentenced

by Julia Roberts

Three men have been jailed for their part in a violent incident during which three members of one family were attacked and two young children were showered in glass outside a Sheppey bar.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that Charlie Bangs, Stephen Leigh and Ricky Wigglesworth were described as "acting like wild animals" during the fracas outside Merlin's Entertainment Complex in Leysdown Road during the early hours of New Year's Day last year.

Scott Roberts was stamped on his head repeatedly while his father James was struck with a bottle and cousin Michael Skerratt suffered a cut to his head and a swollen nose.

James Roberts’ two grandchildren were strapped in child seats in a car but their presence did little to stop the violence and they were showered in glass when Leigh kicked the car windscreen.

"you were described as acting like wild animals and many of the kicks were to the victims' heads, as well as stamps" – judge richard polden

Bangs, 25, of Hazel Avenue, Minster, and Leigh, 23, of Neptune Terrace, Sheerness, both denied violent disorder but were convicted after a trial.

Leigh had been found guilty in his absence after he failed to attend court for any part of his trial. He was still absent when he and Bangs were each sentenced to two years jail.

Wigglesworth, 23, of Medway Road, Sheerness, pleaded guilty to the same charge of violent disorder at an earlier hearing.

He was jailed for 20 months, to be served consecutive to a four-year sentence he is already serving for drugs offences.

Passing sentence Judge Richard Polden said they had become "embroiled" in violence involving punches and kicks.

"You were described as acting like wild animals and many of the kicks were to the victims' heads, as well as stamps.

"The victims all suffered a range of injuries and it is only by good fortune that more serious injuries were not suffered.

"Your actions must have been extremely frightening to those involved and witnessing this incident."

None of the victims gave evidence during the trial after they refused to support the Crown's case.

However, the prosecution was able to rely on evidence from Scott Roberts' then girlfriend, Louissa Deverson, who identified the men involved to the police.