A DAD has been spared a jail sentence for his involvement in a gang brawl.

Jason Blake, who missed the birth of his baby daughter because he was remanded in custody, was armed with a baseball bat when he and about seven others arrived at Ryan Ashley's house in Brookside, Hounsdown, Totton.

Southampton Crown Court heard the group had gone to the house to settle a score after earlier that day in April Mr Ashley had accused Blake of stealing his Land Rover, which Blake claimed he did not do.

Tim Dracass, prosecuting, said a fight broke out between Mr Ashley, his brother, Shane Ashley, and Blake and his associates.

He said the dispute moved out of Brookside to the junction of Valley Road and Hounsdown Avenue, and that 20-year-old Blake threw his baseball bat away as he ran.

Robin Sellers, defending, said: "He recognises now that, whatever the dispute was about, taking a weapon with him was a misreading of the situation and an error of judgement of gargantuan proportions.

"He now has responsibilities. He has two daughters, aged 16 months and just a few days old. He missed the birth as he was remanded in custody, and that is something he will regret for a very long time."

Blake, of Testwood Lane, Totton, pleaded guilty to the possession of an imitation firearm and being involved in the fight.

The court heard one of his associates had taken an imitation gun along with him, but Blake denied knowing about this. He has been in custody since he was arrested in April.

Sentencing him to a 12-month community supervision order and ordering him to undertake an enhanced thinking skills programme, Judge Tom Longbotham said: "You have already served the equivalent of a six-month sentence.

"Your behaviour was disgraceful. This happened in a residential area in view of members of the public.

"It seems, fortunately, that you bit off more than you could chew because those you chose to confront had the resolve to stand up to you, and you and your friends ran."