Four men have appeared before the justices in connection with a bar brawl that left a man with a broken tooth and cuts to his ear and lip.

Anthony Ballard, 29, of Unity Street, Chippenham, Oliver Needham, 24, of Malmesbury Road, Chippenham, Joshua Patton, 29, of Lysley Close, Chippenham, Michael Patton, 31, of St George’s Court, Semington, were before Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday morning.

Joshua Patton admitted affray. The other three men did not enter a plea.

The charge follows a fight at the Old Lane pub in Pewsham on July 5 last year involving two groups of men. The victim had to be taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, for treatment. He received cuts to his ear and lower lip and a broken tooth.

All the men were granted unconditional bail by chairman of the bench David Wetham. They are due before Swindon Crown Court on August 28 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.