JURORS are expected to retire today to consider their verdict in the case of two men accused of being involved in a fight that disrupted a church service.

Paulo Rodrigues and Jose Barradas were arrested after police were called to a disturbance at St Edmund’s Church in London Road, Southampton , when chairs were thrown and a brawl broke out halfway through Christmas Eve Mass.

Rodrigues, 32, of Lyon Street, and Barradas, 27, of Derby Road, Southampton deny affray.

They have told the city crown court they did not cause any trouble and were trying to take a mutual friend outside to help restore order.

The prosecution say the third man is on the run after being given police bail.

Proceeding