THREE men have appeared in court in connection with an affray in Worcester during which one of the defendants had a pickaxe.

Ross Nelmes, aged 43, of Chedworth Drive, Warndon, Worcester admitted affray and possession of an offensive weapon (the pickaxe) when he appeared at Worcester Crown Court yesterday.

Brothers Carl Francis, 46, with a care of address of Crickley Drive, Worcester and Rudy Francis, 40, of Painswick Close, Worcester both denied a single count of affray at the same hearing.

The offences were said to have taken place on March 29 this year.

Nelmes pleaded guilty to having the pickaxe in a public place, the city's Cranham Drive, 'without lawful authority or reasonable excuse'.

The trial of the Francis brothers was placed in a warned list for December 9 this year.

This means the trial could begin at Worcester Crown Court on that date or in the three weeks following. The trial has been given a time estimate of four days.

Nelmes will be sentenced following the conclusion of the trial. In the meantime, a pre-trial review is set to take place on November 18 this year.

All three men were granted bail on condition that the Francis brothers did not have any contact with Nelmes and vice versa.