Office party 'brawl' bosses cleared

The claims centre on an event for company staff

Two south Wales bosses have been cleared of actual bodily harm and common assault after a party they organised to thank their staff descended into a brawl.

Brothers Andrew and David Thomas held the party for workers at their construction company in Bridgend, but were arrested after the evening turned sour.

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

Cardiff Crown 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 at the family building firm E Thomas and Son.

But Mrs Evans, married to company worker John, interrupted and complained that her husband was "working long hours and being held back for promotion".

The jury then heard her claim that Andrew Thomas shouted: "The only thing holding your husband back is you, you f***ing bitch."

"Andrew and David Thomas came over shouting abuse at me, calling me a slag," said Mrs Evans.

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

Andrew Thomas

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

Mr Evans also added that Andrew Thomas grappled him to the floor and that both bosses stood over him, hitting him.

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.

"Anita Evans started shouting using foul language across the room," he said.

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

Andrew Thomas, 34, of Maesteg, and David Thomas, 49, of Bridgend, told the jury there had been a row, but they never assaulted Mr and Mrs Evans.

David Thomas was cleared of causing actual bodily harm to Mr Evans and common assault on his wife.

Andrew Thomas was also cleared of causing actual bodily harm to Mr Evans and two common assaults on his wife.

The pair declined to comment after the case.