Three men have escaped going to jail for their part in a drunken fight that was captured on CCTV.

Richard Cooke, 21, Stuart Pownceby, 19, and Sam Belcher, 21, became involved in the fracas after a group of men started following them in New Inn Hall Street, Oxford, on June 16.

Cooke, of The Glebe, Cumnor, Pownceby, of Robsart Place, Cumnor, and Belcher, of Faringdon Road, Southmoor, all admitted one count of affray yesterday at Oxford Crown Court.

Tim Ashmole, prosecuting, said Pownceby punched one of the men twice, knocking him to the pavement, after words were exchanged between the groups.

Belcher punched the second victim, who also fell to the ground. Cooke attempted to kick him in the back of the head.

Pownceby then kicked the man twice in the face before a bystander intervened. A third member of the victims' group fled after being pursued by Cooke and Belcher.

A CCTV recording of the attack was played to the court.

Jamie Porter, defending Pownceby, said: "I understand there is no evidence of any injury in this case. I understand the victims in this matter declined to make statements or attend hospital."

Mr Porter said the other men started the trouble. Mr Pownceby threw the first punch as a pre-emptive strike because he believed one of his friends was about to be assaulted.

Alex Wolfson, defending Cooke, said none of his client's actions caught on film caused injury.

"His involvement is essentially noise and aggravation," he said.

Joanne Ballingall, defending Belcher, said he was seen on the CCTV footage walking backwards and trying to avoid the initial trouble.

"He accepts he did get involved and his behaviour was unacceptable that evening," she said.

Judge Christopher Compston told the men: "I accept you were not looking for trouble and I accept you were provoked."

He fined each man £700 and ordered them to pay £50 prosecution costs.