A BROTHER has described how a feud between two families spiralled into violence on the same day they were celebrating a religious festival, a court heard.

Southampton Crown Court heard how Gurdev Pottiwal was left with a split lip and bruising to his cheeks and ribs following a violent altercation between members of the Potiwal and Roath families in Clovelly Road, Southampton, last April.

Gurdev told jurors how he and his brother Gurpal, along with other members of the family, had been celebrating the Sikh festival of Vaisakhi during the day.

He told the court how the brothers were drinking at the Red Lion pub but decided to leave after seeing members of the Roath family.

The court heard how they went to the Giddy Bridge in London Road where they received a call from another brother, Bucksheeth, who said he would give them a lift home.

The court heard how Gurdev saw Bucksheesh pull up outside the pub but saw Jaswant and Raja Roath head towards them from the direction of the Red Lion.

He said Jaswant and Raja, who is known as Timmy, approached Bucksheeth's car.

Gurdev said Jaswant asked Bucksheeth for a lift, who then refused.

Jurors heard how it prompted an angry reaction from Jaswant.

Gurdev said: "A few other members intervened to cut the argument out. There was shouting going on between a few members.

"I was shouting back at Jas and he said 'I knocked your dad's turban off in the Dorchester Arms'.

"The Sikh turban is a big part of my religion."

Gurdev told jurors how Jaswant's comments agitated him but the police arrived and dispersed both families.

Gurdev told jurors how he and Gurpal were being driven home by Bucksheeth and went via the Jury's Inn roundabout and turned into Clovelly Road.

He said he saw Shakti Roath and Balbir Roath, a family father figure, parked there.

He said Bucksheeth parked the car and got his mobile phone out to phone their uncle Balbir Potiwal to diffuse the situation.

He said Bucksheeth gave the phone to Balbir Roath, who had a conversation with Balbir Potiwal.

Gurdev told jurors how he saw Jaswant and Raja running from the direction of St Mary's Street towards the car.

He said: "I got out because I saw Jas running aggressively like he was going to do something. Him and Timmy.

"Jas was holding a bottle in his hand as well. It was a glass Stella bottle.

"Jas went towards Bucky to hit him. Me and my brother Gurpal got in front of Bucky. "As we got in front of him Jas went towards Gurpal with the bottle and I then heard the bottle smash. It hit him on the left side of the face.

"Jas started punching me five to six times in the face."

Gurdev said he punched back in self defence before he was pulled to the floor by Shakti. He said Jaswant and Shakti proceeded to punch him in the face, ribs and stomach.

He told jurors how he managed to get back into the car and saw his friend Pardeep already in the back seat.

Gurdev added: "My side of the door opened and Shakti was pulling me by the legs to get me back out of the car.

"I was shouting at Pardeep to hold on to me and I was holding onto the head rest. But where Pardeep was sat Jas punched him and by that time Shakti pulled me out of the car onto the floor.

"I was kicked five or six times all over the face and body."

Raja Roath, 25, Shakti Roath, 28, and Satnum Roath, also 28, all from Bitterne Road East, and Jaswant Roath, 30, of Bassett Avenue, deny array.

Proceeding.