THE centre of Abertillery resembled a scene of "carnage" after three men took part in a scene of violence, Cardiff crown court heard.

The court was told three men were involved, and one of them broke his bail conditions with his father and attacked a pub landlord two weeks later.

After watching CCTV footage, Judge Stephen Hopkins said they were the "most brutal and sustained incidents of public violence I have seen on film".

Gareth Watkins, aged 19, of Commercial Street Arcade, Abertillery, Jamie Woodland, aged 19, of Hill Crest View, Gethin Hancock, aged 18, of Waungron, Blaina, and his father, 43-year-old Stephen Hancock, of Heol Gerig, Abertillery, appeared in court for sentence yesterday.

Prosecutor Claire Pickthall said that on April 17 Kevin Dobbins, 38, and a friend, James Thomas, 33, went to the Glasgow Social Club in Abertillery. Outside the club Mr Dobbins was knocked out after a single blow from Gethin Hancock, while Mr Thomas was kicked and stamped on by a group including Watkins and Woodland.

"A doorman described the scene as one of carnage," said prosecutor Claire Pickthall. The court also heard that two weeks later, on April 30, the two Hancocks went to the Penndragon pub in Abertillery, where they attacked landlord Robert Penn, 40.

Caroline Rees, defending Watkins, said his behaviour was out of character, while Suzanne Thomas, for Woodland, said: "What he did has plagued him."

Robert Buckland, for Gethin Hancock, said: "He is totally ashamed," and Eugene Egan, for Stephen Hancock, said: "He describes his behaviour as a disgrace to his family."

Watkins and Woodland received 16 months in a young offenders' institution after pleading guilty to violent disorder.

Gethin Hancock was sentenced to 27 months in a young offenders' institution after admitting causing actual bodily harm to Kevin Dobbins and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent to Robert Penn. Stephen Hancock was jailed for 21 months for attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Penn.