TWO knife-wielding attackers who were set to stand trial for a brawl which left two others with serious injuries have admitted their role in the violence.

Tom East, 27, of Bretch Hill, Banbury, and Gary Woodwards, 25, of Middleton Road, Banbury, were both due to begin their trial at Oxford Crown Court yesterday for two counts each of wounding with intent.

Instead they both pleaded guilty to lesser charges of unlawful wounding and having a bladed article.

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The Crown Prosecution Service yesterday said it would accept the pleas to the new counts and not seek a trial.

Another woman, Samantha Halliday, 27, of Hornton Road, Banbury, was cleared after the CPS said it would no longer be in the public interest to prosecute her after the new pleas.

The court heard that the men took part in a ‘deeply unpleasant’ brawl in Banbury on July 25 last year.

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East was found to have in his possession a blue lock knife at Ruscote Avenue, Banbury, and Woodwards was caught with a Stanley knife blade.

Defence barristers for each of the men asked for sentencing to be adjourned while they ready their mitigation.

Judge Peter Ross, presiding, agreed to delay the case and the pair will now be sentenced at the same court on Wednesday, February 27.

Both men were yesterday remanded in custody.