A Folkestone father broke down in court after he was jailed for his part in an ‘ugly’ bar brawl.

A father and son broke down after being sentenced for their part in a brawl at a bar in Folkestone.

Jordan Manwarning, 20, and Paul Manwarning, 40, both pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and affray.

At Folkestone Magistrates’ Court yesterday (June 27) the 20-year-old was handed a 12 month suspended sentence for two years and stood next to his father in the dock as he was sentenced to 12 months. He will spend six months in custody and the remaining six on license.

The charges relate to an incident in January 21 at the Office Bar in The Leas.

Frances Lawson, prosecuting, said: “At 11pm two groups of young people were involved in an altercation in the bar, each group containing five individuals. One of the groups included the defendant, Jordan Manwarning.

“Forty-five minutes later he was seen returning to the bar with a group of males, including his father.

“They were seen holding weapons – Paul Manwarning had a baseball bat. Jordan Manwarning carrying a snapped pole or wooden stick.

“Their behaviour was described as aggressive and they were shouting ‘where are they?’

“CCTV footage shows Jordan Manwarning pushing his chest into members of the public trying to calm the situation down.”

Ms Lawson read out a statement from the bar manager who tried to stop the fight where she said it was the ‘first time in 13 years she had felt frightened’ while working at the bar.

‘An ugly incident’

Jordan Manwarning was seen throwing punches and being pulled back by his father who then swung the baseball bat.

It snapped on a man’s shoulder but the victim did not co-operate with prosecution in the case.

Defending, Kerry Waitt said it was unusual behaviour and he was sorry about the incident.

He told the court: “This is an ugly incident, a very disturbing and frightening incident for anyone present at the bar and not the sort of behaviour representative of my client’s ordinary conduct.

“He is remorseful and that is evident by his plea at the earliest opportunity.”

Phil Rowley, representing Paul Manwarning, agreed with Mr Waitt’s description of the night’s events.

He said: “It was an ugly incident and one the defendant is truly ashamed of his part in.

“He was not intending on involving himself in any unlawful behaviour that evening. He had spent the evening at his partner’s house and returned home once his three year old had gone to bed.”

Manwaring received a call from his son who was distressed and he arrived at the venue to help him.

He also said Mr Manwarning has previously suffered with anxiety and depression and stopped taking medication for this until the case started again.

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As Judge Branston began to read his judgement, the 40-year-old began to cry and put his head in his hands and called out ‘I’ll lose everything.’

His partner was also crying in the public gallery.

Judge Branston said: “Violence like this can not be tolerated. You are his father. you should lead by example and the example you lead by is an appalling one.

“You were the older man and a mature adult and your involvement was more dangerous.”

Jordan Manwarning was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and subject to a curfew between 7pm and 5am.

Kent Live