A MAN has admitted his part in a violent brawl at Swindon railway station last December which left his father bleeding and unconscious on a platform.

When Declan Townsend appeared before Swindon Magistrates' Court yesterday he admitted a charge of affray on December 12 last year.

The altercation erupted when a group of men were going to catch a train home following a night out drinking.

Members of staff tried to break up the fight but failed as bottles and punches were thrown from all parties.

One worker on the platform was approached by a man who told him, "If I am arrested you are in trouble. I’m the gangster."

Thomas Harvey, 19, did not enter a plea to the charge, and co-defendant 24-year-old Nathan Groves has been recalled to prison. Both will plead next month.

Swindon magistrates heard that a group of men were heading for a train to Chippenham when the fight broke out around security barriers.

Pauline Lambert, prosecuting, said: “This is a fight involving weapons and throwing objects causing risk of serious injury.

“On December 12, Declan Townsend was with his father, who had been out for the evening, along with other men who had been on a night out celebrating. All parties had been drinking.

“They then go to Swindon railway station to get a train to go back to Chippenham. There is a verbal altercation and a fight ensues. They are fighting by the barriers of the train station entrance, and Neil Townsend, who is the father to Declan, also got involved.

“The four of them are fighting in and out of the barriers, and are seen by two members of staff. The fight was initially broken up, and they walk off towards Platform 4.

“Declan Townsend again confronts one of the men and a second fight erupts. This results in Neil Townsend falling to the floor unconscious."

Police arrive and put Mr Townsend in the recovery position, said Ms Lambert.

“One of the witnesses says that he initially sees a group and is aware there is an argument and hears a bottle smash. At Platform 3 there is broken glass on the floor and a female trying to stop the males fighting," she said.

“He says the whole scene was crazy, and everyone was punching everyone.

“He sees one man fall to the ground with blood all over his face. One male being punched was laid on the floor, and a fourth male then falls to the floor. One male and female were trying to stop the fight and one was punched as a result.

“He is approached by one of the men who says, ‘If I am arrested you are in trouble. I’m the gangster.’

"The whole incident lasts between 25 and 30 minutes, and throughout members of staff are made to feel scared, and results in injury with a man left unconscious on the floor.”

Harvey, 19, of Saxon Street, Chippenham, was released on unconditional bail for a preliminary hearing at Swindon Crown Court on June 19, and Groves, of Downing Street, Chippenham, will appear at Chippenham via video link on June 11.

Townsend, 24, of Malmesbury Road, Chippenham, will appear at Crown Court for an early guilty plea at a date to be fixed.