A TEENAGER from Trowbridge brandished a snooker cue to lead his gang into battle with youths from Westbury, a court heard.

Matthew Stevens, 18, joined a gang of more than 20 youths, armed with iron bars, to take part in a fight in Westbury town centre.

Police spotted Stevens holding the cue above his head in Haines Road, trying to incite the group into fighting.

Richard Thomas, prosecuting, said Sgt Jim Stannard was on patrol in Westbury when he came across a gang of seven youths armed with a scaffolding pole.

Catching up with them as they ran off from High Street, Sgt Stannard found out they were waiting for a group of youths from Trowbridge who were coming for a confrontation.

Police then received several 999 calls from worried residents who spotted more youths with iron bars squaring up for a fight in High Street.

Attending the scene, Mr Thomas said officers spotted Stevens with the cue and arrested him.

He said: "He held the cue above his head in an overt manner and was inciting the rest of the group. The officer got out of his car and restrained him. He was handcuffed and taken to the station.

"He confirmed that he had decided to come to Westbury where a friend had handed him a snooker cue, and he had taken it with the intention of harming another person."

John Elliott, defending, said Stevens, of Sandringham Road, Trowbridge, admitted possessing an offensive weapon.

He said the attack was triggered by an incident earlier in November when Stevens had a concrete block thrown at his car in Bradford Road.

Narrowly missing the windscreen, Stevens recognised the offender and knew he came from Westbury.

Mr Elliott said: "He feels his life could have been in danger. He told some of his friends about the incident and said he knew the person who had thrown the brick.

"His mother said it was totally out of character."

Magistrates fined Stevens £100 and ordered him to pay £55 costs.

They also ordered the destruction of the snooker cue.