Maidstone Crown Court, where Bangs and Leigh were convicted

by Julia Roberts

Three men are to be sentenced 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 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 outside Merlin’s Entertainment Complex in Leysdown Road on New Year’s Day last year.

But their presence did little to stop the violence and they were showered in glass when one of the men involved kicked the car windscreen.

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

However, Leigh was found guilty in his absence after he failed to attend court for any part of his trial.

Ricky Wigglesworth, 22, formerly of Medway Road, Sheerness, pleaded guilty to the same charge of violent disorder at an earlier hearing.

Sentencing of the three was adjourned until April 22.

"i’m having too much fun. i’m not finished" – stephen leigh, before kicking in the windscreen of a car containing children

A fourth man, Matthew Whiting, 29, of Borough Road, Queenborough, had also denied violent disorder and was formally cleared by the jury after Judge Richard Polden ruled that there was no case to answer.

The court heard at the start of the trial that James Roberts had gone to Merlin’s in the early hours of New Year’s Day to collect his son, daughter Jamie and her partner, Tony Eagle.

The couple’s two children were also in the car. But prosecutor Charlotte Newell said when their presence was pointed out, Leigh turned his attention to the vehicle.

“He said ‘I’m having too much fun. I’m not finished’,” she explained. “He then ran up to the car, kicking the windscreen, smashing the glass and showering the occupants, including the children, with glass.”

The court heard that James Roberts, Mr Skerratt and also Mr Eagle were set upon as they tried to help Scott Roberts.

His then girlfriend later identified Leigh, Bangs and Mr Whiting to the police as all being involved in the fracas.

Mr Whiting was arrested but told police he had been smoking a cigarette outside when he saw Scott Roberts being beaten up and went to help him.

Miss Newell told the court he denied saying the men “deserved it”.

Bangs told police he was leaving Merlin’s when he saw a commotion. “Far from using or threatening violent words or behaviour, he said he was helping people up,” added Miss Newell.

When told the girlfriend had identified him as one of the attackers, he replied: “She must have it in for me.”

Leigh was arrested but made no comment throughout his police interview.

The jury was told by Judge Polden at the start of the trial that they should not be prejudiced against Leigh by his non-attendance.