ELEVEN men involved in an outbreak of violence in a town centre street were spared prison yesterday.

Six Fijian soldiers undergoing basic Army training at Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire, and five men from Darlington were arrested after the disturbance was captured on the town's security camera network.

Durham Crown Court heard that both sides blamed each other for starting the brawl, and several got involved to help friends.

Judge Tony Lancaster said he suspected a racist remark aimed at the Fijians may have sparked the incident, which spilled out from a pub into Post House Wynd.

Footage from cameras in Skinnergate and High Row, at either end of Post House Wynd, was played in court.

The incident, at 7pm on Saturday, June 14, last year, lasted two minutes until police arrived. Punches and kicks were aimed by several of those involved, and it ended with one of the local men being pulled clear by friends.

Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, said two of those involved were treated in hospital, but none of the injuries was serious.

All 11 men admitted affray and not guilty verdicts were returned against each on a more serious offence of violent disorder after the prosecution agreed not to proceed on the charge.

The court was told that the Fijians, now serving with different regiments, including several based in Northern Ireland, would lose their jobs and return "in shame" to their home islands if they were jailed.

The Fijians, Muly Narova, 19, Radubentiovomo Tokai, 21, Jakatamua Vukiduadua, 33, Samisoni Tabua, 24, Paul Bukavesi, 21, and 23-year-old Kiniconi Rairaikula were each fined £800.

Community punishment orders of 180 hours each were imposed on Stephen Kavanagh, 23, of Haughton Road, Ian Ditchburn, 38, of Surtees Street, David Moscrop, 21, of Birch Road, Mark Jenkinson, 23, of White Hart Crescent, and 24-year-old Peter Brown, of Thompson Street West, all Darlington.