By Staff Reporter

Last updated at 12:06, Wednesday, 10 March 2010

Nine people have pleaded guilty to being involved in mass disorder following a rugby club gala.

They all appeared before Judge Paul Batty QC at Carlisle Crown Court this week in relation to the trouble in Kirkby Stephen on June 13.

Lee Davidson, 22, of Westgarth Court, Kirkby Stephen, pleaded guilty to having a pair of garden shears with him at the time of the disorder, while two other defendants, who are aged 15 and 17 and cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted being in possession of an offensive weapon in the form of a golf club.

Martyn Coleman, 20, of Wetheriggs Rise, Penrith, entered a guilty plea to one charge of affray.

Diane Winder, 28, from Chapel Lane, Kendal, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.

Two other defendants, 18 year-old Liam Jackson, of Brentfield Way, Penrith, and Craig Carruthers, 19, from South Road in Kirkby Stephen, both had charges of violent disorder against them dropped.

The court heard that they had been involved in a scuffle which sparked the disorder – though not involved in the trouble itself – and Judge Batty told them that they should both be “thoroughly ashamed” of themselves for the part they had played.

Jackson and Carruthers were both bound over in the sum of £200 to keep the peace for a period of 12 months.

On Monday, Christopher Turnbull-Allen, 23, and Mark Ediss, 18, both of Westgarth Court, Kirkby Stephen, pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon – a golf club – and also to a reduced charge of affray.

Richard Lofthouse, 23, from Kaber, Kirkby Stephen, pleaded guilty to affray and Laura Braithwaite pleaded not guilty to affray but guilty to a section four breach of the peace.

All the pleas entered by the defendants on Monday and Tuesday were accepted by the crown.

Dorothy Cleasby, 62, Westgarth Court, Kirkby Stephen, Amy Winder, 18, from Farraday Road, Kirkby Stephen, Nicky Davidson, 19, from White Ox Way, Penrith, Lewis Lightburn, 19, from Church Street, Shap, and Melanie Prudhoe, 19, from Westbrookfields, Kirkby Stephen, all had charges of violent disorder against them dropped on Monday.

Those defendants who pleaded guilty will be sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court on April 13.

First published at 11:26, Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk