A BRIDEGROOM who beat up his brother during his stag party was released from a prison cell just hours before the wedding.

Magistrates in Trowbridge heard how Robert Church only just made it to the ceremony on time after being arrested for the attack.

Prosecutor Rhys Davies said 37-year-old Church was spotted by a neighbour brawling with a man outside his house in Bancroft, Bradford on Avon.

The witness said the victim was lying on the floor being kicked by Church every one to three minutes. The incident lasted up to a quarter of an hour.

Church had been out drinking in Bradford pubs on April 18. An argument broke out about 3.30pm when the brothers returned to Church's home.

Ordering his brother to leave the house, Church followed him into the street and both men started to brawl.

Church stripped off to the waist and stood over his brother delivering kicks with a 'hefty swing'.

Witnesses said the victim's face and clothes were covered in blood.

Alex Daymond, defending, said an argument sparked the fight but neither man could remember what it was about.

The victim never made a complaint but the Crown Prosecution Service proceeded with the case because witnesses had seen the fight.

Mr Daymond said Church had been astounded by his actions. He said: "This has frightened him so much that he has stopped drinking altogether. He was very shocked by what he had apparently done."

Church, who admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, was sentenced to 120 hours' community service and told to pay £55 costs.