TWO defendants who joined in a 'melee' after their friend headbutted a man in a pub have been spared jail.

Gary Raper, 27, and Lee Garnham, 25, had been drinking in the Angel pub, in Easingwold, North Yorkshire, on the day of an England Rugby World Cup match on October 13 last year.

Prosecuting, Jim Withyman told Teesside Crown Court that their friend, Darren Cooper, met another man, Jonathan Carrick, in the pub, with whom he had an historical grievance.

Cooper headbutted Mr Carrick, at which point Raper began pushing and shoving the victim.

Garnham also joined in, believing his co-defendant was being attacked, and was said to have used "excessive force" in separating the pair.

The court was told that Mr Carrick received a bruised nose and left eye and a cut to his head. He was also thought to have hit his head on a fruit machine during the course of the attack.

Mr Withyman said Raper, of Long Street, Easingwold, and Garnham, of Copperclay Walk, Easingwold, had both pleaded guilty to affray on the basis that they joined in the melee and some of the pushing and shoving.

Both men were said to be of previous good character and produced references at the court for the judge, Anthony Hedworth.

He fined them both £200 and ordered them to pay £150 compensation each to Mr Carrick and £50 prosecution costs.

The pair were also barred from drinking in the Angel pub for six months. Cooper had previously been fined 250 after admitting common assault.