Mass brawl erupts among holidaymakers at Northumberland caravan park

A violent altercation erupted at Haggerston Castle Holiday Park in Northumberland on the evening of March 17, involving two families and approximately 20 individuals. The incident began when John Ward witnessed his mother being escorted out of the park by security, prompting him to react aggressively. CCTV footage captured the chaos, showing women fighting and Ward attempting to intervene by picking up a bottle and later a gin glass, which he smashed on a table. Children were present during the disturbance, leading to visible distress among them. Ward, a 23-year-old with a history of 12 previous convictions, was charged with affray and possessing an offensive weapon. During the court proceedings at Newcastle Crown Court, prosecutor Matthew Hopkins highlighted the serious nature of the incident, emphasizing the fear and distress caused to the children in attendance. The court noted that the brawl was not only disruptive but also posed a significant risk to the safety of those present. In his defense, Ward's lawyer described him as immature and mentioned that the family had gathered at the caravan park to cope with the loss of several family members. Despite the circumstances, the judge deemed the incident as "quite large scale" and "unpleasant," reflecting on the impact of such behavior in public spaces. Ultimately, Ward received an 18-month suspended sentence, along with 150 hours of unpaid work and a requirement to complete a thinking skills program. This outcome serves as a reminder of the consequences of public violence and the importance of maintaining a safe environment for families and children.