Twins who are talented members of a Carlisle rugby squad have appeared in court after a disturbance at a city nighspot.

Dan Holmes and his brother Josh, both 27, found themselves before magistrates in the city after a celebratory drink at the city's Outrageous night spot descended into disorder and violence.

Dan Holmes admitted two common assaults.

His brother admitted being drunk and disorderly and resisting a police constable.

The brothers – who live at Finn Avenue, Denton Holmes, and who are both respected players at Carlisle Rugby Club – got into trouble after staying out into the early hours of March 12.

Pam Ward, prosecuting, said police were called out to a disturbance, and when they arrived a door supervisor told officers that Dan Holmes had slapped him on the head.

It was as he was being ejected from the club by security as a result of this that Dan Homes punched a second member of staff in the mouth, the court heard. This caused a cut to the victim's lip, said Mrs Ward.

Challenged by police, Dan Holmes apolgised and said that even though he could not remember much he accepted he was drunk and would have been swinging his arms about.

“He said he would not intentionally punch anyone,” said Mrs Ward.

Josh Holmes had tried to pull away as he was being handcuffed by a police officer outside the club. He later told police he felt that he had deserved a night in the cells.

“I was really rowdy,” he said.

“It was drink-fuelled.”

Keith Thomas, for the brothers, told magistrates both defendants apologised for their behaviour that night.

“This night was something that they both bitterly regret,” said the barrister. “Neither has any previous convictions. They're hard-working men in the construction industry and very keen sportsmen.

“They'd been working in their construction business on the Saturday morning and then driven to their club to play sport, played in the team again in the afternoon and were very successful. They went out to celebrate with their girlfriends and others.

“Daniel didn't deliberately mean to hit anybody. He'd had a considerable amount to drink.”

On the night in question, Josh was knocked out inside the club and had not deliberately resisted the police officer that night. Asked if he had wanted to formally complain about being knocked unconscious he replied that enough harm had come of the night and he had not wanted to escalate the matter further.

Magistrates imposed fines of £233 for each assault on Dan Holmes, together with a £30 victim surcharge and costs of £85; while Josh Holmes was fined £233, with a £30 surcharge and £85 costs.

Dan Holmes must also pay his victim £50 compensation.