Supreme Court trial called off after two men plead guilty to common assault in 2023 brawl

A Supreme Court trial scheduled to start today is not going ahead after two men pleaded guilty to common assault following a 2023 Ocean Village brawl.

Eight Royal Marines had faced charges and originally pleaded not guilty and opted for a trial by jury in the Supreme Court.

At the time, police said they had to draw batons and use captor spray to manage the incident, in which seven police officers and a member of the public were hurt.

 In court this morning, two of the men, Samuel Bates and Anthony Houghton, pleaded guilty to common assault and will be sentenced in the new year.

The other individuals saw their charges dropped.