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CHRISTOPHER GAMBLE, 54, AND JAMES GAMBLE, 52, WERE BOTH HANDED SUSPENDED PRISON SENTENCES FOR AFFRAY AND POSSESSION OF AN OFFENSIVE WEAPON 18:00, 31 May 2025 Two Newcastle brothers armed

themselves with a hammer and a plank of wood during an affray with a jealous boyfriend. A court heard the pair were trying to "fend off" the bigger man after he turned up to their

home. The incident was sparked when Christopher Gamble, 54, and James Gamble, 52, allowed a female friend to stay at their home on Ellesmere Road in Benwell. The woman had recently become

homeless after her partner was sent to prison. But when the woman's partner was released from prison, he became jealous she had stayed with the brothers and believed something more had

been going on. He then turned up at brothers' home and began "battering" their windows and doors. It was then that James Gamble armed himself with a hammer, and Christopher

Gamble armed himself with a plank of wood. They both then violently confronted the man. On Tuesday, the brothers appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court to be sentenced for affray and

possession of an offensive weapon. The offences were committed on April 12 this year. Article continues below Ruth Forster, prosecuting, said: "[The man] started kicking the front door

of the Gamble property. They armed themselves with the weapons described and came out flailing the weapons." The court heard Christopher Gamble had 57 previous convictions for 136

offences and James Gamble had 84 convictions for 231 offences. Andrew O’Hanlon, defending, told the court the man responsible for turning up to their home is "bigger and stronger"

and accused them of "doing something with his girlfriend". He said that the Gamble brothers had allowed the man's partner to stay with them while he was in prison. Mr

O'Hanlon said: "They had allowed her to come and stay at their home. Nothing nefarious was going on, but this man got the green-eyed monster, came round and battered the door and

window. He said 'I'm coming back' and the next day he came back. Article continues below "These two were frightened he was going to come into the house and beat the girl

up. They did what they could to fend off trouble." Mr O'Hanlon added that "all parties have now kissed and made up". District Judge Paul Currer said the brothers

confronted the man in an "aggressive and violent way". He sentenced both to 12 months prison, suspended for 18 months. Christopher Gamble must also complete 15 rehabilitation days.

Both must pay a £154 surcharge.