TWO men who were on a works night out in Chester got into a violent scuffle and had to be restrained by door staff.

Richard Perry, 26, of Derby Road, Caergwrle and Matthew Ray, 30, of Glyn Garth, Blacon, Chester, both admitted a charge of being abusive at St John Street, at about 8pm on July 29, and were both fined.

But Chester Magistrates Court heard on Friday (August 16) that the incident had actually "brought the two defendants closer together" and were now friends.

Prosecuting, Rob Youds said police were called to St John Street on the evening in question amid reports of a fight.

When there, they found Perry was on the floor, being held down, and had blood on his face, while Ray had blood on his ear.

CCTV evidence showed both of them with an unknown third male who was trying to separate the pair.

Ray was shown to throw a punch which missed and then ran away from Perry, before they had a scuffle.

They were then separated by door staff.

Ray had 10 previous convictions for 16 offences, while Perry had two previous convictions.

Defending, Joe Bleasdale said: "Both men were on a works night out. They did not know each other very well at the time but this incident has actually brought them closer together. They appear as friends today in court."

Both defendants worked for a roofing company.

They were each fined £200 and must both pay £85 court costs and a £30 victim surcharge.