THREE members of a Blackwood family have avoided an immediate prison sentence despite leaving a man with facial injuries during an altercation at a rugby club.

Dean Yemm, 45, of Brynhoward Terrace, Oakdale; his brother Jason Yemm, 42, of Cherry Grove, Croespenmaen, and their father Roderick Yemm, 68, of Plynlimon Avenue, Croespenmaen, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday, October 20.

The trio had previously pleaded guilty to affray in relation to an incident at the Oakdale Rugby Club on November 26 of last year involving Gareth Meredith.

Prosecuting, Helen Randall said: “The defendants were originally charged on the indictment of two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and wound inflicting GBH. They all pleaded not guilty..

“On September 13, a third count was added of affray. All three pleaded guilty to the charge as they said there was no kicking in the incident.”

Ms Randall added that all the trio had lived relatively crime-free lives prior to the incident at the rugby club.

“Jason Yemm has no previous convictions. Dean Yemm has one previous conviction for an unrelated matter from 1993,” she said.

“Roderick Yemm has no previous convictions.”

Defending Jason Yemm, Hilary Roberts said his defendant accepted taking the victim “to the ground” but he was trying to protect Roderick Yemm.

“It was an instinctive reaction to protect his father,” said Mr Roberts.

Defending Roderick Yemm, Stephen Thomas said his defendant’s actions were “conciliatory” and “a spontaneous reaction”.

“He deeply regrets his actions on this night for all concerned in this,” he said.

Mr Thomas described Roderick Yemm as “a hard working family man, liked and well respected in the community” and this incident was “an aberration in his life”.

Defending Dean Yemm, Claire Pickthall described Dean Yemm’s action as “out of character” and he was sorry for his involvement.

“He got involved in the fracas that unfolded,” said Miss Pickthall, “He has expressed regret about the injuries Mr Meredith received.”

Concluding, judge P. Harris-Jenkins said that the actions of the family members were “an anomaly”.

However, he could not escape that their actions caused a very serious injury to the victim and none of the defendants had owned up to being responsible for starting the incident off.

“Mr Meredith suffered a very serious injury to his eye socket,” said the judge, “None of you have accepted that it was you who instigated the incident.”

Mr Harris-Jenkins handed down an eight month term suspended for 18 months to each of the defendants.

Dean Yemm, Jason Yemm and Roderick Yemm were also ordered to pay costs of £1,500 with each paying £500 as well as a victim surcharge of £140.