Trio jailed for huge Daresbury Park Hotel wedding brawl

Thomas Stokes, Edward William Stokes, Terry Stokes and Edward Stokes all played their part in the fight which caused more than £18,000 worth of damage.

Police were forced to retreat from the Daresbury Park Hotel in 2019, where fierce fighting began, and armed officers were deployed to restore order.

The first six of 11 charged appeared to be sentenced at Chester Crown Court today, Monday, with CCTV footage showing the true scale of the violence.

Two other co-defendants, Michael Stokes and John Stokes, were also listed to be sentenced today, however the former tested positive for Covid and the latter was listed in error.

Both have been re-listed to be sentenced later this week alongside five other defendants.

Prosecutor Robert Philpotts explained how the incident relates to a huge brawl which erupted between up to 50 guests at a wedding reception at Daresbury Park Hotel on June 26, 2019.

Police at Daresbury Park Hotel the day after the brawl

By around 11pm, the reception was in full swing, with 150 people expected in the Alice Suite function room on the first floor.

At 11.15pm, a barman saw three men arguing as he left to collect items from the main bar, and when he returned, a huge fight between some 40 men had started.

CCTV footage played in court showed glasses and chairs being hurled across the room, as well as displays being torn down and a sweet cart overturned.

Police were called after a night porter saw what was happening on CCTV, but the first dispatch of officers withdrew on arrival after taking the view they were unable to deal with the situation alone.

It took a unit of armed back-up officers specially equipped and trained to restore order. A dozen were arrested and gave no comment police interviews.

Around 30 police cars were spotted rushing to the area, according to eyewitnesses, while Warrington Hospital even declared a major incident, with senior management called in during the night to assist.

Edward William Stokes, Terry Stokes and Thomas Stokes were jailed at Chester Crown Court

Ultimately, only three patients were taken to hospital after suffering minor injuries.

Speaking after the incident, one hotel guest said: “It was all kicking off – there were police everywhere, it was really bad.

“I could see it all happening out of my window. There was a massive police presence and it was all cordoned off.

“There is blood all over the floor in the corridor.”

Britannia Hotels, which runs the Daresbury Park Hotel, declined to comment on the matter in the aftermath of the incident. The hotel has since closed to the public in order to house asylum seekers.

From CCTV footage, Edward William is shown holding a pole and Edward is seen throwing glasses.

Terry meanwhile is one of a number walking around with a blood-stained white vest and no shirt. He is also seen being led away by police wearing handcuffs.

Terry Stokes

Thomas is seen ripping apart a light display and pointing at people with a pole while throwing objects across the room.

Bodycam footage from police with audio captures loud shouting, with officers heard telling people to calm down, while the footage shows suspects being arrested and handcuffed.

The prosecution described the whole incident as 'mayhem', while judge Simon Berkson remarked how some people in the footage were innocent bystanders, including members of hotel staff and wedding planners – even children.

The court heard how more than £16,000 worth of ‘extensive’ damage was caused to the hotel, as well as damage valued in excess of £2,400 to items belonging to the wedding planner.

In a statement, the hotel manager said the incident was the worst he had seen in his career, with too much damage to mention and blood and glass covering the dancefloor and walls.

In addition to the damage, which the court heard had been paid for by the Stokes family, £300 of alcohol was stolen as glass was taken for weapons.

Thomas Stokes

An impact statement from the wedding arranger meanwhile revealed how nine years of stock, which was her livelihood, was destroyed, impacting other weddings planning to hire the items.

The court was told that all defendants pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder, albeit at different stages of the court proceedings, except Edward who admitted threatening behaviour.

In defence of Thomas, his barrister referenced how he has stayed out of trouble since the offence and has reduced his alcohol consumption, which was the ‘underlying factor’ behind his offending.

The court was also told of his ‘realistic prospect of rehabilitation’, remorse and how custody would put his home, where his wife and three young children live, at risk.

On behalf of Terry his brief spoke of how the married dad, who punched his brother on the night, is ‘hugely embarrassed and ashamed’ of his ‘pathetic’ actions.

Edward William’s legal representative described him as a man of ‘significant caring responsibilities’ with three children, and how he is a ‘lifeline for his family, providing practical support and real meaningful emotional support’.

“A thinking skills programme could not be more apt. The signs are that if he was given the opportunity, he would not waste it,” his barrister said.

Edward William Stokes

“He has a family that needs him and this is the fork in the road. He needs a radical change to his decision making in conflict situations and wants to make that change.”

Meanwhile, Edward’s barrister said that he would be better served being punished in the community to rehabilitate him, rather than being sent to jail.

Before sentencing, judge Berkson said: “The events of that day were truly shocking to anyone who saw them. For those present and innocent, one can only imagine the fear.

“What should have been a happy occasion, a wedding, turned into a bloodbath.

“The suite was set up for a celebration, with a DJ playing music, people dancing and enjoying themselves. This came to an end when violence broke out.”

He described how there were punches thrown by the bar as guests cowered, and as violence spilled into the corridors, men armed themselves with furniture, metal poles and fire extinguishers.

Warrington Hospital declared a major incident

“All of you participated in an incident with widespread violence. It was persistent and sustained, causing serious disruption and a substantial effect on businesses. It ruined the day of the newlywed couple.

“In my judgement, the nature and extent of the event means punishment can only be achieved through immediate imprisonment.

“The public would be rightly aghast if they saw what I have seen and an immediate custodial sentence was not passed.”

Edward William, aged 28 and of St Giles Street, Milton Keynes, was sentenced to 27 months in prison.

Terry meanwhile, aged 36 and of School Road, Winsford, was jailed for 21 months.

Judge Berkson handed an imprisonment of 25 months to Thomas, aged 30 and of The Hide, Milton Keynes.

Moreover Edward, aged 50 and of Kettall Avenue, Crewe, was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison suspended for 18 months and ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work.