Men hospitalised after Newbury fight

Four people were taken to hospital after an incident outside a town centre pub in the early hours of Sunday morning

FOUR people were taken to hospital after an incident in which two men were slashed with a weapon outside a Newbury pub in the early hours of Sunday morning (October 2).

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened just after midnight and started when two men got into an argument with another man outside the Cooper Arms public house, on the corner of Bartholomew Street and Craven Road.

The altercation escalated and other parties became involved, before two men were slashed with a weapon, sustaining wounds to their hands and bodies.

Both men were taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital for treatment and later discharged, while two other men, who received injuries to their faces, were taken to the Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital and later discharged.

Det Con Greg Hulse, who is investigating the incident, said: “This seems to be an argument between three men which has spiralled out of control leaving two men with slash injuries and two others with injuries to their faces and heads.

“We have spoken to a number of witnesses about the incident, however we know there was a group of about 20 people who were not involved in the altercation, who were standing outside the Coopers Arms at the time.

“I am very keen to speak to anyone in this group who has not yet spoken to police, as they could have information vital to the investigation.”

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of Grievous Bodily Harm and have been released on bail until October 18.

Anyone with any information about the incident should contact Det Con Hulse on 0845 8 505 505, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.