POLICE were shocked when they went to break up a fight – and discovered Santa and two elves at the centre of it.

Three men, including one from York, had been on a night out in festive fancy dress in Harrogate, when the scuffle broke out, the town’s magistrates heard.

At court yesterday, prosecutor Steven Ovenden said it was the “season to be jolly”, but outlined how the group had chased another man through the town.

The court watched CCTV pictures of the three chasing another man from outside Moko Lounge in King’s Road, into nearby Cheltenham Crescent, after a night out on December 27.

In Cheltenham Crescent, the victim, Attila Fazekas, was confronted by the group before running back into King’s Road to climb into a waiting car and be driven off.

One of the “elves” was 21-year-old Steven Garnet Laidlaw, of Hawthorn Terrace, New Earswick, who pleaded guilty to using behaviour towards Mr Fazekas which provoked fear of violence being used against him. He was fined £150 and told to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Defence solicitor Geoffrey Rogers said Laidlaw, a vulnerable man with learning difficulties, had kept out of trouble since being convicted of wounding three years ago and receiving a suspended prison sentence from a judge at York Crown Court.

Mr Rogers said the CCTV footage did not show how Laidlaw had become involved after being allegedly punched in the face and knocked to the floor, sustaining a black eye and a swollen lip.

Presiding magistrate Eric Fell said the court was concerned and said drink had played a part, but accepted Laidlaw had not been the prime mover.

One of the other men involved in the incident is on police bail, the other was released without charge.