Man tells jurors of moment he was struck on the head with an axe in Telford

Shaun Stephens suffered fractures to his face during the disorder, which took place in Bank Way, Ketley Bank, on June 29 last year.

The trouble was triggered by a minor row between his nephew Nathan Stephens and another family in Oakengates earlier that day. The resulting in the parties agreed to resolve the dispute with a fist fight at Ketley Grange playing field in Telford. Giving evidence behind a screen, Shaun Stephens, 40, said as he waited with his nephew and two others, Declan Taverner turned up with a group of other men armed with weapons including an axe with a grey handle of about 2ft 6ins in length, a Samurai sword and metal bars.

Mr Stephens said: “One car came flying round the corner in front of us, one came to the side and one came up the back.

“I remember Declan was driving one of the cars and Andrew Prempeh was in the front seat.

“At this point I jumped out of our car because I didn’t want to get attacked inside it.

“They all jumped out of their cars.

“I saw Declan jump out. I didn’t see where he went or what he did. Andrew Prempeh came towards me with an axe in his hands.

“He had it in his two hands and swung it straight at my head from above his head.” He said his right eye socket was injured as a result and a metal plate was inserted by doctors to repair the damage. He denied attacking anyone in retaliation during the incident which happened at about 7.50pm.

Also giving evidence Nathan Stephens, 25, told the jury that he blamed himself for what happened because of injuries sustained by his uncle.

Cars were also damaged during the violence.

The jury heard that during the incident the Stephens group also used weapons golf clubs, sticks and metal bars brought to them by relative Paula Stephens, who lived near the scene, to fight back. Declan Taverner, 18, of Fifth Avenue, Ketley Bank; Andrew Prempeh, 21, of Burford, Brookside; Tyler Love, 21, of Burtondale, Brookside; Neon Manu, 19, and Kyle Watson, 22, both of no fixed abode; Travis Perkin, 24, of Church Street, in Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham; and Ryan Ginty, 24, of Manchester, all deny offences of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Nathan Stephens and Shaun Stephens.

They also deny violent disorder. The trial continues at Shrewsbury Crown Court.