Three suspects have appeared in court in connection with a Liverpool city centre brawl which left two men fighting for their lives.
The 22-year-olds were seriously injured during the incident outside the Shankly Hotel and were rushed to hospital in a critical condition. Troubling video footage of the altercation was subsequently widely circulated on social media, which occurred in the days after Covid restrictions were first lifted following the national lockdown of early 2020.
Three men from St Helens appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday after being charged over the mass brawl. Forty-year-old Andrew Woods, of Roysten Gardens in Peasley Cross, and 39-year-old Michael Parr, of Broadway in Thatto Heath, both pleaded not guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm and affray.
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Adam Arnold, of Legion Road in Thatto Heath, admitted affray during an earlier hearing at Liverpool Magistrates' Court last month and the 32-year-old will be sentenced at a later date. A further hearing has been fixed for September 2, but a four-day trial is then expected to be held in May next year.
The casualties were named in court as Jonjon Devine, who is alleged to have been attacked by Woods, and Luke Siner, who is said to have been subjected to an assault by Parr.
It was previously reported that a fight broke out on Victoria Street shortly after 9.15pm on July 24 2020. This was said to have involved two parties believed to have attended a dance music event at the hotel.
The road was cordoned off between the Queensway Tunnel roundabout and Crosshall Street while emergency services responded. Eight others arrested previously were later told they will face no further action by Merseyside Police.
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