A BRIDEGROOM-to-be was attacked by three men because he turned down an arranged marriage proposal with their female relative, a court heard.

During one incident Sukhinder Singh Rai was allegedly beaten with a metal bar leaving him unconscious with bruising to his face and back.

They also threatened to kill Mr Rai's sister Parminder Bahir at her home while her children slept inside, Southampton Crown Court was told.

Steven Terrain, 18, and Gurcharan Hayer Singh, 27, both of Barnes Close, Bitterne deny two charges of violent disorder, a charge of affray and harassment.

Michael Terrain, 18, of Fritham Road, Harefield, denies two charges of violent disorder.

Prosecuting Adrian Fleming told the court in one incident on October 6 last year Mr Rai was brutally attacked in his work car park Polystar Plastics in Peel Road, Southampton, by the three defendants.

He said during another incident, two days earlier, the gang threatened Mr Rai with violence and then tried to chase him in a car outside his home in Hartington Avenue, Newtown.

The following day Mr Rai was woken by the sound of smashing glass and he saw Steven Terrain and Hayer Singh walking away from the house, the court heard. Mr Fleming said that up until three years ago the defendants and the victim were all friends.

But their friendship broke down after an arranged marriage proposal did not work out.

During cross-examination Mr Rai said: "I turned down the marriage. They threatened and pestered me. When I finished work they followed me and said 'we'll kill you'."

Mr Fleming added: "During that part of October that target of Mr Rai reached something of a climax.

"What had been built up as verbal abuse turned to violence. Mr Rai was planning to marry another woman in October."

Defending Michael Terrain, Rupert Burke-Gaffrey told the court that, following the first attack, Mr Rai had not mentioned his client's name in his first police statement.

He said: "Michael Terrain was at home - not anywhere near your house."

Mr Rai said he had mentioned the defendant's name but it was not in the statement.

Proceeding.

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