CUSTOMERS celebrating New Year's Eve in a pub suffered serious injuries when the landlord and his son allegedly attacked them, a court heard.

Two of them had a broken nose and one also suffered a broken eye socket.

David Evans, 48, landlord of the Upper Cock pub, Croesyceiliog, and his son, Sion Evans, 23, of the same address, have each denied wounding Carl Thomas.

Sion Evans also pleads not guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm on Richard Lewis and he also denies an alternative charge of causing actual bodily harm.

David Evans has denied a charge of common assault on Joanne Lewis.

The incident occurred at about 11pm, said prosecutor Bernard Powell at Cardiff crown court.

Many people, including the defendants, had had a lot to drink, he said.

Mr Thomas, he said, was drinking with friends, and returning from the lavatory when he was pushed by someone and stumbled against Sion Evans.

Words were exchanged and it is alleged that Evans Jr grabbed him and struck him to the face.

They both went to the floor and it was alleged that David Evans then joined in the attack.

Doormen removed the two men from the pub.

Soon afterwards Mr Lewis was drinking with his girlfriend and standing near the bar when, it was alleged, Sion Evans rushed towards him and punched him twice in the face. Doormen ejected him again.

Later, it is alleged, when Joanne Lewis was complaining about the aggressive way Carl Thomas was being dealt with, she was violently pushed by David Evans and suffered a bruised arm.

Mr Thomas had a broken nose, a cut to the bridge of the nose and a cut eye.

Lewis, said Mr Powell, suffered a broken nose and a broken eye socket. The defendants were arrested on January 18.

David Evans denied being involved in any fighting that night and his son initially gave a no-comment interview.

He later said that at no point did he assault anyone and admitted having drunk one and a half bottles of vodka.

The case is proceeding.