TWO love rivals brawled in front of children and partygoers at a family event organised by Trowbridge-based telephone giant Virgin Mobile.

Stuart Holburn-Thorburn, 42, butted his ex-wife's new lover when the pair met at the party in July.

Held in the grounds of Longleat House, magistrates in Trowbridge heard on Thursday how the party was marred when Holburn-Thorburn, a former employee at Virgin, had to be pulled off Paul Reynolds by security guards.

Anna Humphries, prosecuting, said Holburn-Thorburn's ex-wife also worked at Virgin Mobile, which was where she had met her new boyfriend.

Mr Reynolds told police he felt a tap on his shoulder and after a heated argument with Holburn-Thorburn, was butted.

Staggering backwards he tried to fight back but was grabbed by his attacker and they both fell to the floor, with Holburn-Thorburn's teeth digging into his scalp.

He suffered a one-and-a-half inch gash to the head and needed the wound glued back together.

In police interview Holburn-Thorburn, of Nightingale Drive in Westbury, admitted the assault and said it happened because he saw his wife together with her new partner and became upset.

Bill White, defending, said his client was remorseful about the incident, which he wished had never happened.

Left to look after the couple's seven-year-old child, Mr White said his client is now unemployed.

He said: "Mr Holburn-Thorburn wasn't aware the couple were going to be at the event but saw them as they were about to leave.

"He disputes the account given by Mr Reynolds as he says there was some violence coming back at him and he didn't walk away lightly from the incident.

"He is very sorry and knows the whole thing was unacceptable. Things have now calmed down between the parties."

Magistrates handed Holburn-Thorburn a one-year conditional discharge but no compensation for injuries to the victim was ordered.

He also has to pay £55 towards prosecution costs.

Mr Holburn-Thorburn no longer works for Virgin Mobile.

A spokesman for Virgin Mobile said neither man involved in the brawl is still employed by the company.