A pair involved in a knife affray outside Barton shops will be sentenced next month.

Lewis Brown, 20, and Cameron Merritt, 18, both of Barton, were before Oxford Crown Court on Friday to be sentenced for their parts in a brawl in Underhill Circus last June.

The hearing was expected to take place at the end of the trial of co-defendant Andee Williams.

READ MORE: Oxford man admits part in affray

But Williams, 50, who is also known by the surname Morton, pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial to affray and possession of a hunting knife found in his rucksack when he was arrested.

His case was put off for a month for the preparation of pre-sentence reports.

Brown and Merritt’s names were kept in the list on Friday and both duly appeared before Judge Michael Gledhill QC, who adjourned their sentencing to tie-up with Williams’ case on June 24.

Previously, the court heard how an unidentified man was threatened by a group outside the SPAR shop on June 2, 2021.

Williams was accused of brandishing a machete, although he denied the allegation. Brown, who is currently serving a 10-and-a-half year sentence for manslaughter, was seen on CCTV appearing to put the machete in a rucksack.

READ MORE: Judge blasts 'completely ludicrous' delay

A neighbour who called the police told Williams’ first trial last year, which had to be abandoned, that the brawl had made her feel ‘distressed’.

She said: “This is happening outside my home and we had five children at the address. I thought something needs to happen here, the police need to be here just in case anything further does happen.” 

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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward