Four men and a woman are facing sentence after admitting their involvement in a brawl outside a pub in which a father and son suffered wounds.

Richard Betts, 52, Angela Smith, 43, Jake Marsden, 28, Keiren Dawson, 19, and 24-year-old Mark Mison were due to stand trial yesterday.

But the prosecution accepted various pleas and sentence was adjourned until a two-week period beginning April 8.

Dawson, of Plover Road, Larkfield, and Mison, of Morris Close, East Malling, admitted unlawfully wounding Ray Barnes Senior and Ray Barnes Junior.

They had denied the more serious charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Marsden, of Moorhen Road, Maidstone, denied assaulting Ray Barnes Snr, causing actual bodily harm, and admitted common assault.

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Betts and Smith, both now of Willowmead, Leybourne, denied affray and admitted a lesser public order offence. Smith also admitted having an offensive weapon, a metal bar.

The five were arrested after the violence outside in Mill Street, East Malling, on November 11, 2017.

Prosecutor Serena Gates said Betts and Smith were of previous good character.

Marsden had previous convictions and was in breach of a community order imposed on February 12 last year for possessing cocaine.

Judge David Griffith-Jones QC said of the pleas: “I am glad common sense has prevailed.”

Bail was continued.

Also arrested with the five was Betts’ son, also Richard, 23, who was charged with assaulting Ray Barnes Snr, causing actual bodily harm in Carnation Close and affray in Larkspur Close.

But he died after a fight at a house in Larkspur Close on June 25 last year.

An independent investigation was ordered into Kent Police's response to the incident.

Officers arrested a man in his 40s from the East Malling area. He was later bailed.

Neighbours reported hearing shouting and screaming coming from the house during the evening. A front window was smashed.

A post mortem examination took place and police said the cause of death remained under investigation.

A voluntary referral was made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) and the watchdog confirmed an independent investigation would be launched.

Police have declined to make any further comment.