Drinkers fled a club's pool room in terror as five thugs began brawling, with one smashing a bottle over another man's head.

What had been a relaxing bank holiday celebration at Carlisle's Club Britannia in Lowther Street erupted into drink-fuelled violence as the yobs involved – all of them having had too much to drink – turned on each other.

The club's manager later told police that he first became aware of the melee after seeing one of the five staggering from the club's snooker room, his face and clothes covered with blood.

A judge at the city's crown court told the five defendants – who had all earlier admitted a charge of affray – that they all deserved to go to jail for such “disgraceful” behaviour.

Even after a lengthy police investigation, no explanation has been offered for why the night turned so violent.

But after hearing mitigation from defence barristers, Recorder Kevin Grice suspended those sentences.

In the dock were Carl Purvis, 21, Sean Cutting, 21, Carl Haugh, 28, Christopher Cook, 26 and Michael Norman, 35.

Prosecutor Lisa Worsley said the first indication of any trouble came at around 9pm on Boxing Day as the club manager looked into the room that was used for snooker and saw Norman, obviously injured.

Intending to help him the manager led Norman into the nearby pool room but the defendant began throwing punches at people in there.

CCTV footage later showed Sean Cutting, 21, then smashing a bottle across the back of Norman's head.

In the brawl that ensued, Christopher Cook, 26, joined the violence, attacking Norman and picking up a bottle or glass which was thrown towards the back of someone's head.

Carl Haugh, 28, then fought with Norman - who was repeatedly struck by Cook and Cutting - and a fifth man, Carl Purvis, 21, also became embroiled.

At the time, Cook was already under a suspended prison sentence while Cutting had been released from prison for a previous offence a short time before.

In court, barristers said the five were sorry for their behaviour.

But the mitigation from defence lawyers was cut short after Recorder Grice confirmed that he would suspend for 12 months all of the prison sentences that he intended to impose.

As the defendants stood side-by-side in the dock, Recorder Grice told them: “The CCTV footage which we have all just seen really speaks for itself and all of you now appreciate that it was an utterly disgraceful and quite inexplicable incident in which each of you, in different respects, became involved.

"All of you are of different backgrounds but there is a common thread to it.

"All of you are relatively young men. You are all working and the only explanation for this quite disgraceful incident is that you have all had far too much to drink.

"I have no doubt that this sort of violent disorder in licensed premises on Boxing Day deserves to be met with custodial sentences."

Despite the seriousness of the offending, said Recorder Grice, there were powerful reasons to suspend the sentences.

He added: "Each of you may consider yourselves fortunate that I have taken the view that I have.

"Other judges looking at the footage of that incident would have sent you all to prison.

"There are, in my view, good reasons not to do so. I hope that the faith I have expressed is not misplaced.

"If any of you get into any trouble again you will go to prison."

Cook, of Bower Street, off Wigton Road, Carlisle, was given a six-month prison term.

He must also complete 150 hours of unpaid work, a three-month curfew and a 15-day rehabilitation requirement.

Norman, of Seatoller Close, Morton and Cutting, of East Norfolk Street, Denton Holme, Carlisle, were each given six-months sentences and ordered to do 150 hours' unpaid work.

Purvis, of Reeds Lane, Wigton and Haugh, of Bassenthwaite Street, off Wigton Road, Carlisle, were given four-month prison terms and 120 hours' unpaid work.

Each of the five men must pay £400 costs.