A WEDDING reception ended in bloodshed when the bride’s family set upon the groom’s relatives.

Violence erupted at the Royal British Legion in East Challow, near Wantage, as more than 100 guests marked the marriage of 19-year-old Jeanie Down and 25-year-old Nicholas Howe Jnr.

Three members of the Down family, of Woodhill Lane Caravan Park, in East Challow, were sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Monday having admitted 10 offences between them.

Tony McGeorge, prosecuting, said animosity between the two families began before the wedding, but boiled over as groom’s cousin Ben Tobin was confronted in the toilets at the party on June 6 last year.

He said: “He was doing up his trousers when a man said, ‘You talk to my daughter, I’ll kill you’ then he was punched in the head, his hair was grabbed and his head smashed against the wall.”

Mr McGeorge said Mr Tobin was dragged into the hall and punched by another man as members of his family rushed to his aid.

His uncle, Nicholas Howe Snr, was punched in the jaw before being knocked out with a blow to the back of his head, the court heard.

Alfie Down, 45, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Ben Tobin and Nicholas Howe Snr.

Steven Down, 43, admitted affray and ABH on Nicholas Howe Snr.

Alfie’s 23-year-old son Jimmy – the brother of the bride – had already been given 140 hours’ unpaid work in July having admitted committing actual bodily harm on Alex Howe on March 13, 2009.

Jimmy admitted affray and actual bodily harm on Nicholas Howe Snr at the wedding, alongside subsequent offences of dangerous driving, witness intimidation, and driving without insurance and without a licence.

Jimmy got 12 months’ jail, suspended for two years, and 70 hours’ unpaid work in addition to his existing amount.

Alfie was given four months’ jail, suspended for two years, and 60 hours’ unpaid work.

Steven received six months’ jail, suspended for two years, and 100 hours’ unpaid work.

All three were each given a one-year restraining order from contacting five members of the Howes family and told to pay £300 costs each.

Judge Christopher Compston said: “I am quite certain we do not have the whole truth of the matter.

“There is considerable muddle and confusion, and it may well be other members of the Down family were involved.”

Nicholas Howe Jnr and Jeanie Down have since separated.