SIX men have narrowly escaped prison sentences for a drunken late night brawl in York city centre.

York magistrates said the prison van had stood by to take the defendants to jail as they considered what punishment they should receive.

The justices saw CCTV recording of the fight that began in Nessgate in the early hours of April 3 and spread down King Street towards the River Ouse.

They counted three kicks by defendants, including one by Nathan Hagyard on a man on the ground.

The film ends with several bystanders intervening to break up the fight and separate the six.

David Michael Ellis, 33, of Pottery Lane, York; Nathan Hagyard, 20, of Teal Drive, Foxwood; Joshua Taylor, 23, and his brother Thomas Ryan Taylor, 20, both of St Barnabas’ Close, off Leeman Road, York; Jonathan Matthew Williams, 23, of Regent Street, off Lawrence Road, York; and Darren Michael Carter, 45, of Oak Crescent, Halton, Leeds, all pleaded guilty to a public order offence.

Each was ordered to do unpaid work and pay £85 prosecution costs and a statutory surcharge of £85.

Defence lawyers Colin Byrne, for Williams and Ellis, both of whom have previous convictions, and Adam Henry for the Taylors and Carter, all of good character, said their clients’ actions were affected by the alcohol they had taken.

Hagyard, who also has no convictions, represented himself. He said he was remorseful for kicking out and had changed his ways since that day.

He was ordered to do 300 hours’ unpaid work, as was Joshua Taylor.

Mr Byrne said everyone involved had been drinking and locking Ellis and Williams up would have an impact on their families.

Williams, who had had a front tooth damaged, was the only person injured, he said.

Ellis, Williams and Carter were ordered to do 250 hours’ unpaid work. Thomas Taylor was ordered to do 150 hours’ unpaid work.

Mr Henry said the fighting had been short, lasting two minutes.

Both Taylors and Carter were men who worked hard to support their families and their lifestyle.