Woman hurt in club brawl

Jan 2 2007 By Tony Deeley, Birmingham Mail

A WOMAN was glassed in the face in a drunken New Year brawl involving up to 30 people at a Midland club.

Several other people - including an ambulance crew member - were treated for the effects of CS gas used by police to quell the disturbance in Bilston, Wolverhampton.

Three arrests were made as up to 30 police officers were called to restore order.

The incident at Bilston and District Labour Club, in Wellington Road, was among several to keep police and ambulance crews at full stretch.

The violence flared at just after 1am yesterday following a domestic row.

Club stewardess Carol Norton said: "It all started with a couple having a domestic argument and then it led into the passageway.

"People were trying to stop others fighting and it got to the stage where about 30 people were involved and we had to call the police.

"Someone got glassed, unfortunately. We had about 400 people here and it ruined everyone's New Year."

West Midlands Ambulance spokesman Murray MacGregor said: "Six patients were affected when a CS gas canister or similar instrument was let off.

"We also took a woman in her 30s to hospital with facial cuts after being bottled and a further patient with breathing difficulties."

A number of others made their way to hospital in taxis. An ambulance crew member also needed treatment to the eyes.

Insp Jon Turley, of Wednesfield police station, said: "Police attended after a report of a fight involving a large number of people.

"Three people were arrested as a result of it.

"The fight evolved through drunkenness. A woman was taken to hospital with facial injuries, but these are not believed to be serious and she later discharged herself."

A man and woman in their 30s were arrested - the man for allegedly assaulting police - and another man in his late teens was arrested for disorderly conduct.

Police and ambulance crews were called to Hillside Road, Dudley, at 10.10 pm on Sunday after reports of fighting.

Mr MacGregor said: "Four ambulances were sent to the scene, but no casualties were taken to hospital."

At Perton, near Wolverhampton, a man thought to have taken an overdose was arrested by police on Sunday after threatening a paramedic with a baseball bat.