Willenhall man found guilty of affray after brawl at Wolverhampton Civic Hall charity boxing event

Benji Groom, 29, of Ashmore Road, Willenhall, was found guilty by a jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court. Several other people have already pleaded guilty to affray in connection with the fight. One man suffered a fractured skull and brain haemorrhage after being attacked in the massive bust-up.

Jason Lunt, 47, of Valley Road, Bloxwich, and Hayley Jones, 33, of Mount Road, Tettenhall Wood, were both found not guilty of affray. Lunt claimed in front of the jury that he was trying to stop the violence and was acting as a peacemaker, while the court also heard how teaching assistant Jones broke down in front of the headteacher at the school she works in when he heard she was wanted in connection with the brawl.

Groom, who was earlier found not guilty of GBH with intent on the orders of the judge, and the other men will be sentenced on May 13.

The violence flared up between two groups during a charity boxing match, where Tom Hayes suffered a fractured skull and brain haemorrhage when stamped on the head and was left with long-term hearing difficulties.

He was an innocent party caught up in the fighting that continued outside after several of those involved had been ejected from by bouncers.

Groom attacked Mr Hayes and later claimed to be a mixed martial arts fighter, but denied involvement in court.

The trouble started with a bust-up in a corridor outside the gents during the event at which a team of West Midland Police officers took on members of the public in a series of charity boxing bouts watched by over 200 people on October 18, 2014.

The violence spilled outside the venue after three people involved in the original fracas were ejected.

Adam and Jake Hayes, the brothers of Tom Hayes, and Michael Spruce all admitted involvement in fighting and earlier pleaded guilty to affray.