VIOLENCE erupted on the forecourt of an Abergavenny garage when 12 young men were involved in a confrontation, Cardiff Crown Court has been told.

One man was unconscious and suffered a broken jaw and another was repeatedly kicked to the head. Frank Knapman, 21, of Maes-y-Llarwydd, Abergavenny and Samuel Bloor-Jones, 19, of Windham Road, Abergavenny admitted a charge of affray.

Each was sentenced to 16 weeks imprisonment suspended for two years and each was ordered to pay £361 costs. In addition Knapman was ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work for the community.

Prosecutor John Probert said that Bloor-Jones was driving around Abergavenny in a vehicle which contained Knapman soon afterwards Knapman threw a can of cider out of the car at another vehicle at the bus station.

"There was immediate ill feeling between the groups," said Mr Probert.

At about 12.30am on March 3, 2008 the two groups were seen at the Esso Garage, Hereford Road. The police were called and they found Andrew Roberts unconscious and with a broken jaw - injuries not inflicted by the defendant.

There was a lot of shouting and at one point Bloor-Jones punched Joshua Andrews a number of times. He went to his knees and was kicked to the head by both defendants.

Members of the other group began to throw punches and one officer had to use his CS spray to quell the fighting.

Two others who were charged said Mr Probert are, "currently at large."

When Knapman was arrested he ran off, was chased and caught. He told an officer, "F*** off. You're not arresting me." He kicked out in the police van.

Knapman was said to have a previous conviction for inflicting grievous bodily harm, his counsel Jon Ryan said, "There's been real remorse and the delay is now 15 months. He has modified his life and wants to put this behind him." Tom Crowther for Bloor-Jones said, "He is embarrassed and ashamed."