This is the shocking moment a mass brawl of 20 people erupted in the street outside a magistrates court, leaving people covered in blood and eight men arrested.
Dramatic phone footage shows people throwing punches and kicking each other – with one elderly man even wading in to use his walking stick as a weapon.
The scrap is believed to have started after a crime victim and his relatives were let out at the same time as the defendants in their case at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court.
Police have arrested eight men and are appealing for witnesses after three people were taken to hospital after the shocking incident outside the court at 11am on Friday.
This is the shocking moment a brawl of 20 people broke out in the middle of the day outside Birmingham Magsitrates’ Court
The fight is believed to have started after a victim was let out of the court with their family at the same time as the defendant in their case
In a clip filmed by passers-by, the group can be heard arguing before the violence breaks out and quickly descends into a ‘Wild West-style’ brawl.
The elderly man with the stick is seen whacking people with it as people around him are pushed to the ground.
The group then flock to the other side of the road where they swarm around the pensioner, kicking him as he cowers by the curb.
The police are now appealing for anyone who recorded the fight on their mobile phone to get in touch.
Detective Inspector Tom Hadley, of West Midlands Police, said: ‘This was a very violent disorder outside the city’s law courts in the middle of the day.
‘It’s completely unacceptable and no doubt would have been frightening for many members of the public.
An elderly man with a walking stick is pictured wading into the fight and hitting people with it
‘Officers were on the scene quickly and arrested eight people who were believed to have been involved.
‘We’re examining CCTV footage but we know several people stopped to record the fight on their phones.
‘Clearly this footage could be hugely valuable for the enquiry in identifying the ringleaders and who was involved in the violence – and I’d urge them to get in touch.’
A barrister, who did not wish to be named, said: ‘It all started when the victim and his relatives were let out of the building at the same time as the defendants.
The brawl then moves to the other side of the street where a group of people descend on the elderly man kicking him to the ground
‘One man was left covered in blood. The police and ambulance were called.’
Six men, aged between 21 and 61, along with two boys aged 16 and 17, have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and affray.
Three people were taken to hospital with facial injuries and one having suffered a suspected broken hand, but no-one is understood to have been seriously hurt.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: ‘We were called at 11.19am to the junction of Newton Street and Corporation Street.
‘We were called to reports of a fight. Three ambulances attended in total.
Six men aged between 21 and 61 were arrested along with two boys aged 16 and 17. Police are appealing for more information to help catch the others involved
After the ‘disgraceful Wild West’ brawl four people were treated by paramedics, including three that were taken to hospital
‘We have treated four patients. A man in his 40s with cuts to his arm and head – he was given pain relief and taken to hospital.
‘A second patient, a man was treated for cuts to the head and given pain relief and taken to hospital.
‘The third patient was given pain relief for a chest injury and taken to hospital.
‘The last patient was discharged at the scene after receiving treatment for cuts and grazes to his arm.’
After the video was shared on social media, web users flocked to condemn the violence.
Emma Harrison wrote: ‘Disgusting behaviour by fully grown men.
‘It was in broad daylight and kids would have seen this. Utter disgrace. Throw the book at them.’
Dave Carter added: ‘Looks like something straight out of the Wild West. Crazy scenes.’
Witnesses or anyone with information about the disorder should call West Midlands Police Investigation Team in Force CID on 101.
The shocking scenes outside the court were captured on video by passers-by
The clip was shared widely on social media, with people immediately rushing to condemn such violence. One branded it an ‘utter disgrace’
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