A MAN hurt in a mass brawl has welcomed news that his attacker will be behind bars for Christmas.

Father-of-two Chris Reynolds had stumbled across a brawl outside Caldicot Football Club in June when he was attacked.

Now he is hoping the sentence handed out to his attacker will deter anyone else from getting involved in violence.

The Argus reported on Saturday how Newport crown court heard that Luke Stokes, 19, of Larch Grove, Underwood, and Kirk Attewell, 19, of Green Close, Rogiet, had been drinking for several hours when Stokes punched a man called Nigel Morgan.

Between 50 and 150 people were involved in the subsequent mle, in which Attewell, who the court heard was looking forward to a career in the army, attacked draughtsman Mr Reynolds, 31.

He suffered severe bruising and swelling to his face and a broken tooth.

Stokes and Attewell admitted violent disorder, while Stokes also admitted unlawful wounding and Attewell admitted actual bodily harm.

In court Judge Christopher Llewellyn-Jones QC described the incident as "brutal." Stokes, who has recently been nominated for Welsh youth rugby trials, was sentenced to 21 months in a young offenders' institution, and Attewell was sentenced to 12 months' detention for his part in the brawl.

Mr Reynolds, of Jolyons Close, Caldicot, has now welcomed the sentences, saying justice had been done. He said: "I am pleased.

"I happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and I am still suffering pain in my teeth.

"Justice has been done and all I can hope for is that this will stop other idiots from fighting after drinking too much.

"This has not affected my life. I am lucky that I am quite a big guy.

"Hopefully we will not see any more fighting like this around Christmas."