Two Amman Valley thugs have been sent to jail following a mass brawl outside a pub in Capel Hendre.

The mother of one of the two also received a suspended sentence for her part in the disturbance.

One of the men was seen kicking a policewoman as she lay defenceless on the ground.

Nicholas McNamara, of Blaenau Road, in Llandybie; Matthew Steinman, of Caemawr in Betws, and his mother Michelle, of the same address, were all convicted of violent disorder following a trial at Swansea Crown Court. The trio appeared before Judge Keith Thomas yesterday (Tuesday) for sentencing.

McNamara, aged 19, was sent to a young offenders' institution for 18 months while 20-year-old Steinman was ordered to serve 12 months at the same institution.

Steinman's 45-year-old mother received a nine-month jail sentence - suspended for 12 months.

The court heard that McNamara and the two Steinmans, along with a number of other friends and relatives, had gone to the King's Head pub in Capel Hendre to celebrate a family anniversary when the incident occurred.

Defence solicitors claimed the trouble had been sparked inside the pub between the group and local youths before spilling out on to the street.

Police officers arrived at the scene, but themselves came under attack as their efforts to calm the situation failed.

David Lloyd, representing Michelle Steinman, said the group had been baited' by locals who seemed to resent the presence of outsiders.

At some point during the melee, a female police officer was knocked to the floor and Judge Thomas noted that McNamara had been seen to kick the officer as she lay defenceless on the ground.

Judge Thomas said the police officer had simply been carrying out her duty and was trying to stop further violence when she was rounded upon' by the teenager.

The court also heard how Michelle Steinman had raised her fists as if she was about to strike an officer.

Matthew Steinman had also lost his temper, prosecutors said.