Seven on trial after metal bars, axe and swords used in Telford 'straightener'
Metal bars, an axe and swords were used to attack two men in a “straightener” following a row between two Telford families.
Violence erupted in Bank Way, Ketley Bank, on June 29 after two of the rivals agreed to resolve the dispute with a fist fight at Ketley Grange playing fields.
Prosecuting barrister Mr Simon Parry told a jury at Shrewsbury Crown Court that the situation escalated when the lead organiser Declan Taverner turned up in a group of up to ten men armed with weapons.
He told the court that victims Shaun and Nathan Stephens suffered serious injuries during the disorder that happened at about 7.50pm.
Mr Parry said: “This case concerns a single incident of pre-planned violence in Telford involving the use of weapons to inflict injury. It involved two rival groups.
“The defendants travelled to Telford armed and with the aim of causing serious injury to the victims in this case.
“The incident had its genesis in a verbal altercation that took place earlier that morning that caused people enough offence that it was called for the matter, in colloquial terms, to be resolved with a straightener.
"However, this straightener left two people in the rival group with injuries.”
He told the jury that it was a case of “joint enterprise” with the defendants acting together to commit a criminal offence.
Seven men are on trial for allegedly taking part in the incident:
Declan Taverner, 18, of Fifth Avenue in Ketley Bank, Telford
Andrew Prempeh, 21, of Burford in Brookside, Telford
Tyler Love, 21, of Burtondale in Brookside, Telford
Neon Manu, 19, of no fixed abode
Kyle Watson, 22, of no fixed abode
Travis Perkin, 24, of Church Street in Rhosllanerchrugog, Wrexham
Ryan Ginty, 24, of Manchester
All seven deny offences of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Nathan Stephens and his uncle Shaun Stephens, and all deny violent disorder.
Both victims suffered fractures and cuts.
Mr Parry said the trouble was triggered by an encounter between Taverner, a female relative and Nathan Stephens earlier the same day.
He said the Mr Stephens knew Taverner and greeted the pair when he saw them in Oakengates at about 8am, but the woman swore at him in reply resulting in a “mild altercation” that “ blew up out of all proportion”.
He said there was contact between the families and it was suggested that there should be a “straightener”.
The trial continues.
