A FRIGHTENED woman and her young daughter cowed behind a counter when two men, one thought to have a knife, fought at a Devizes petrol station shop.

Salisbury Crown Court was told the violence erupted after Devizes man Ellis Black felt he had been ripped off over the alleged sale of some drugs.

Arguing about it turned to pushing and shoving when Black, 37, of Mayenne Place, Devizes, saw Timothy Cooper at the Total garage shop in Northgate Street.

He went into the garage shop and confronted Cooper and there was a struggle. At one stage the pair went into display shelves ending up on the floor.

Mr Cooper got up saying he had been stabbed, but although what appeared to be a knife with a three or four inch blade was spotted, no knife was ever found.

The two men continued fighting on the forecourt of the petrol station.

The court, however, was told that it was not a one-sided incident.

Black's victim was said to have retaliated in a forceful fashion and at one stage had Black, who had a tooth knocked out, on the floor.

Appearing for sentence after admitting affray, Black said he was sorry for the distress caused to others in the garage shop.

Judge Robert Pryor said: "This was plainly a very unpleasant and frightening incident for everyone there."

He said he accepted that Black had not used a knife in a determined way but said he felt he must impose a custodial sentence and jailed Black for eight months.

He told him he was glad to hear he had signed up for drug testing and said: "I hope you have the strength to get off drugs."