Brewers Arms Brightlingsea brawl sees mum sentenced by judge

Nicola Brownsdon, 50, followed her friend Kelly Nelson, 45, to the Brewers Arms in Brightlingsea as the latter wanted to settle a score with ex-partner Brodie Groome.

The confrontation quickly turned violent, with Groome, 29, cornering Nelson and “hitting her repeatedly” at the Victoria Place pub on January 3 2019.

Punters tried to intervene but were kicked, punched and bitten by Nelson and mum-of-three Brownsdon, who was already barred from the establishment, Chelmsford Crown Court heard.

Carnage - Nicola Brownsdon and Kelly Nelson caused chaos inside the Brewers Arms pub in Brightlingsea (Image: Newsquest)

Judge David Turner KC told Brownsdon: “She led you astray on that occasion but you were a mug to be led astray.

“You allowed yourself to be drawn into a simply appalling course of conduct. It was unprovoked, unjustified and unnecessary.”

Brownsdon, of Brian House Court, Brightlingsea, admitted four offences of common assault and was sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for one year.

Robert Levack, prosecuting, told the court Brownsdon became increasingly provoked after being spat at by Groome.

Brawl - Brodie Groome hit Brownsdon's co-defendant Kelly Nelson 'repeatedly' during the brawl (Image: Essex Police)

People who tried to break up the ensuing brawl were struck by the defendant who used her mobile phone as a weapon.

Judge Turner continued: “This was a desperate incident where Ms Brownsdon, along with Nelson, lost the plot.

“You behaved like a wild, out of control teenager. Your conduct was simply shameful and disgraceful on that day.”

Donal Lawler, mitigating, said Brownsdon has not drunk alcohol for ten months and is “remorseful” for what she did.

Spared prison - Brownsdon was handed a suspended sentence at Chelmsford Crown Court (Image: Archant)

Nelson, of no fixed address, admitted affray and causing actual bodily harm in relation to her role in the ugly disturbance.

She was handed an 18 month suspended prison sentence and ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work.

Groome, of Sydney Street, Brightlingsea, has since been jailed after causing the death of Steve Warburton, 46, in Colchester by manslaughter in August 2020.

The thug threw a punch at Mr Warburton, causing him to fall and suffer a fractured skull when his head hit the floor, later dying in hospital from a cardiac arrest.