TWO members of an Abba tribute band who were assaulted during a party at a Newport hotel welcomed sentences imposed on their attackers yesterday.

A couple convicted of causing actual bodily harm to Arrival's singer, Natalie Brigham, and keyboard player Mark Pemberton, were ordered by Newport magistrates to pay their victims a total of £800 compensation.

Tony and Debra Griffiths, of Cwrt Bleddyn, Two Locks, Cwmbran, were also told to carry out 40 hours' community service each.

Griffiths, aged 40, who had butted Mr Pemberton while he performed at the works' party in the Kings Hotel, was ordered to pay him £500.

His 32-year-old wife, who bit Miss Brigham on the cheek during the scuffle, was ordered to pay her victim £300.

Miss Brigham told the Argus yesterday: "I'm just glad they've paid for what they did. I'm glad it's over and that there is justice."

She said her face had been so swollen following the incident that the band had to cancel two gigs.

Miss Brigham added that she did not think a price could be put on the injury she had received.

The Griffiths were convicted of causing actual bodily harm to the two band members following their trial at Newport magistrates court in July.

The incident happened during a dinner party at the Kings Hotel where the Shropshire-based band were performing.

Magistrates had heard how the situation got out of hand when Mr Pemberton swore at 32-year-old Mrs Griffiths for leaning on the stage.

One witness had said: "It was a scrum, with everyone yelling and screaming."

The couple had claimed they were acting in self-defence, but magistrates said although they had entered the fray to defend others, butting and biting were serious offences.

Chairwoman of the magistrates Cynthia Parks said it had been "extremely difficult" coming to a decision over the amount of compensation to be paid to the two victims. She said that the pair would not be made subject to an order excluding them from licensed premises because "we consider this to be a one-off offence as demonstrated by your previous good character".

The magistrates had heard how the band had to cancel two gigs following the incident, each worth £800, but no compensation order would be made for this financial loss.

*PICTURED: Abba tribute band Arrival