Graphic videos of the incident were widely shared in the community, with some defence advocates describing it as “viral”.

Those videos, as well as CCTV footage of an altercation outside on the South Esplanade, were played several times to the court as the prosecution’s main evidence. 

Pictured: Videos of the incident were widely shared via social media.

Prosecuting Advocate Sarah Watson said Guernsey Police were first alerted to a “massive fight” following a call from bar staff. 

The fight was said to have started due to disagreements between a local group of males and a group from the UK. There was a suggestion that Hatton had been taking sips from other people’s drinks, but this was rejected by him. 

The prosecution accepted disagreement and uncertainty over the cause due to a gap in the video evidence. 

Hatton was seen to throw three punches and stamp on Bamford’s head while he was on the floor at the start of the incident.

Following this Ozard struck Hatton multiple times in the head causing him to fall, he then kicked at him twice, with one connecting with his shoulder area. Beer was poured over Hatton,and he was dragged back by Ozard. 

McCarthy also threw a kick in this period, but it is uncertain if it connected. 

Meanwhile, Truffitt held a man in a headlock by the door before running over to another man, who was from the UK. Truffitt dragged him back onto the ground towards a pool table. Truffitt then picked up a ball from the table and hit the man twice in the back of the head. Just after this Bamford struck that man in the head once.  

After releasing from a struggle Truffitt threw a ball across the pub and then ran over to the same man and threw a brown bottle at his head causing him to collapse motionless on the ground. Truffitt then stamped on his face twice with force. 

Outside the pub a scuffle ensued between Bamford and Hatton where the former threw a punch and a kick. Police officers then arrived.  

Three of the men were arrested that evening, while Ozard turned himself in the following day and McCarthy was arrested in January. 

Advocate Watson added that an older couple resorted to hiding in the pub’s cellar while the fight was occurring.  

The UK victim suffered a broken leg, but no one individual could be directly blamed for that, as well as a split ear, nose, swollen face and other injuries. He reported ongoing disruption to his life and work, and PTSD because of the incident. 

Pictured: The fight happened at the height of the Christmas party period.

Defending Bamford, Advocate Sam Steel said his client wanted to “apologise to the court and to our community” for the “frightening scenes” which went “viral”. 

Bamford himself had been a victim of the violent disorder for which the other defendants had been charged after being taken to the floor and attacked by Hatton, he added, a moment which made him fear “for his life”. 

He admitted the punch he threw at the UK victim was “disproportionate”, and when outside had become fearful of another attack by Hatton for which he pushed him back and attempted some punches. 

Advocate Steel said Bamford’s improved life over the past few years had gone downhill since the event affecting his family and business. 

“He hates himself for what he’s done,” he said. 

Defending Hatton, Advocated Clare Tee said her client struggled to recall events due to intoxication throughout the day. He had been due to leave the island via ferry that morning, but it was cancelled.  

He admitted shouting at some locals in the pub, denied sipping other’s drinks, but Advocate Tee said even if these instigated the violence, they were not of themselves violent or threatening violence. It remains unknown who made the first move in the fight, she said.  

Hatton was “disgusted” at the stamps and “utterly ashamed” of his behaviour.  

Defending McCarthy, Advocate Chris Green said he had a “different and unusual involvement” in the fight given he had only delivered a single kick that may not have connected with anybody. 

Advocate Green said he had tried to exit the pub, but the way was blocked, and he had panicked and “impulsively” kicked out with the motivation hard to ascertain. 

Nevertheless, McCarthy was “profoundly embarrassed” at the “grossly stupid” act. 

Pictured: The five men were sentenced by the Royal Court.

Defending Ozard, Advocate Liam Roffey said he acknowledged the serious harm caused and the potentially fatal consequences but in around five minutes of violence Ozard was involved for just 17 seconds.  

He became involved after seeing Hatton stamp on Bamford’s head and decided to intervene, he added. Even so, he was “deeply sorry and regretful”. 

Advocate Roffey also criticised the prosecutions’ initial handling of the case by botching some of the charges causing delay, confusion and increasing the cases complexity.  

Defending Truffitt, Advocate Sara Mallett said he had initially been acting as a peacemaker but gradually became more involved in the fight and had further intervened after seeing the man from the UK threaten others.  

“He does not seek to justify his conduct from that point on,” she said.  

Truffitt has been in custody since 16 December and for the first time had engaged with therapy services, with the hope of permanently addressing untreated childhood trauma, Advocate Mallett added. 

Both Advocates Roffey and Mallett made the point that the UK victim wasn’t an innocent bystander, and his criminal record showed a link with similar incidents.  

Judge Catherine Fooks, sentencing, said there was “no justification for this level of violence”, labelling the incident “sickening” and “disgraceful”. 

Bamford’s narrative of fear was rejected by the court, while Truffitt was singled out for perpetrating the “most serious violence” including “vicious” stamping. 

Pictured: Guernsey's Les Nicolles Prison.

Judge Fooks told the five defendants in the dock they “must face the consequences” of their actions. 

Truffitt was jailed for three-and-a-half years, to run from 16 December, 2022.

Hatton was given two-and-a-half years, and Ozard two years.