Bosses deny office party brawl

The claims centre on an event for company staff

Two bosses of a south Wales building firm who threw a party to thank their staff ended up under arrest after assaulting a worker and his wife, Cardiff Crown Court has heard.

Brothers Andrew and David Thomas laid on the evening for the more than 20 staff of the family firm they run in Bridgend.

David grabbed me by my clothing and pulled me off my chair. I fell, cracking my head on the floor

Employee's wife Anita Evans

But the jury was told that the event descended into a brawl after a woman complained that her husband, who was an employee at the company, was working long hours and was being held back for promotion.

Andrew Thomas, 34, of Maesteg, and David Thomas, 49, of Bridgend, deny assaulting John and Anita Evans.

The court was told the trouble began as David Thomas made a speech to the sound of Tina Turner's song Simply the Best.

He said the title of the tune summed up how he felt about his staff.

But this proved too much for Anita Evans, whose husband John worked for the family firm, E. Thomas and Sons, in Bridgend.

She told Mr Thomas that she was unhappy about the long hours her husband put in at the company and his lack of promotion.

The court heard the evening went from "the best" to a brawl

The court heard her comments caused bad feeling at the evening which eventually turned into confrontation between the brothers and the husband and wife.

Mrs Evans said: "Andrew and David Thomas came over shouting abuse at me, calling me a s**g.

"David grabbed me by my clothing and pulled me off my chair. I fell, cracking my head on the floor."

She claimed Andrew Thomas told her: "The only thing holding your husband back is you."

She said he then swore and called her a "bitch".

Tirade of abuse

Mr Evans said: "Andrew Thomas grappled me to the floor and they both stood over me, hitting me."

But Andrew Thomas, 34, told the jury it was Mrs Evans who started the trouble with the tirade of abuse which her husband then followed up by attacking him and his brother.

He said: "Anita Evans started shouting using foul language across the room.

"We walked over to her table because it was embarrassing - and her husband suddenly lunged at us."

The trial continues.