Man's teeth kicked loose and head stamped on in Walsall bar brawl

But victim Stephen Small started the fight at Flan O' Brien's, in Ablewell Street, Walsall, when he attacked defendant Dean Thompson in the smoking area, a court heard.

Mr David Lees, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court how Thompson, his wife Lucy and Karl Reynolds at first tried to restrain Small, but the situation escalated into a sustained attack on him.

He said the incident was caught on closed circuit television and they were shocked when the images were played to them by officers.

"There was an immediate attempt by the defendants to restrain Mr Small.

"This attempt went beyond the use of reasonable force to prevent an attack upon themselves. Mr Small ended up on the ground where he was assaulted by all three defendants.

"Karl Reynolds struck him on the body. All three kicked and stamped on his head and body," Mr Lees told the court. He said Mr Small, aged 43, was admitted to hospital as a result and was later given a police caution for his role in the disturbance on December 14.

Businessman Dean Thompson, 41, housewife Lucy Thompson, 29, both of Jackson Close, Tipton, and lorry driver Reynolds, 49, of Darbys Way also Tipton, admitted a joint charge of causing grievous bodily harm.

Mr Lees said: "There had been some nudging in the pub earlier on and that seems to be the reason why Mr Small went outside to approach Dean Thompson."

"Each defendant was subsequently arrested. Each appeared to have no recollection of the events, but when shown the CCTV they realised the extent of the violence."

He said Mr Small suffered cuts to his hand and face which was swollen and significant damage to his teeth, which had been previously well cared for.

His upper front teeth became loose in the attack and he required one extraction, root canal treatment, a crown and a filling as a result. He also had vision problems.

Mr Benjamin Nicholls, defending all three, said they were remorseful.

He told the court that the sentence given to the three should be suspended.

"These are not three young tearaways. They are three mature people who are unlikely to ever appear in court again. They pleaded guilty at the first opportunity," Mr Nicholls said.

The court heard that Lucy Thompson has a previous conviction for assaulting a police officer.

All three were sentenced to two years in prison suspended for two years.

They must each carry out 180 hours unpaid work in the community within 12 months and must each pay £750 compensation to their victim after the court heard he required substantial dental repairs. And they must each pay £100 victims' surcharge.

Dean Thompson was also ordered to complete a specified 28-day activity with the probation service.