Two brothers violently punched a man in a nightclub toilet following an argument.

Paul James Gunn, 32, of Thornfield Close, and Jack Newton, 19, of Ehen Place, both Cleator Moor, appeared before West Cumbria Magistrates’ Court.

The court heard how Gunn and Newton were in the toilet of GL3 on Tangier Street, when the victim Stephen Jeffrey walked in to use the urinal.

Gunn – a charge-hand at Sellafield – then started arguing with Mr Jeffrey before punching him three times. Newton then hit him once in the head.

District Judge Gerald Chalk was shown CCTV footage of the incident, which happened on May 1 at about 2am.

Mr Chalk told Gunn: “You wanted a fight and that causes me a great deal of concern. Come on, you are a grown man who has responsibilities, not only at work, but at home and it’s only in respect of that, I’m not sending you to prison.

“At your age, you should know a lot better.”

Both Gunn and Newton’s solicitors said they were “fully remorseful” of their actions.

Ryan Foley, for Gunn, said: “He has been shocked by what he’s seen [on the CCTV], he could give no explanation why it happened. A lot of alcohol had been consumed on the night.”

Defending Newton, Neil Pilling said: “He got involved briefly in an argument which wasn’t really his, it was his brother’s argument.

“It did develop into a physical argument and towards the end of that short physical argument, Mr Newton did deliver one blow to Mr Jeffrey before leaving the toilet.

“He simply lost control of himself when he had seen what was happening between his brother and Mr Jeffrey.”

Gunn was handed a 60-day suspended sentence which was suspended for 12 months, ordered to pay £85 costs and £115 surcharge. He must also complete 120 hours of unpaid work.

Newton was given 12 months community service where he must complete 100 hours of unpaid work and was ordered to pay £85 costs and £85 surcharge.