A MAN'S ankle was fractured and his wife was pushed into a cupboard when violence flared at a party to celebrate his new job, a jury at Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

It is alleged that Daniel Marley was attacked in his home in Blackshaw Drive, Buttershaw, Bradford, on April 26 last year.

Mother and son, Samantha France and Jack Watson, deny unlawfully and maliciously wounding him with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

France also pleads not guilty to causing Mr Marley's wife, Anne-Marie, actual bodily harm.

Prosecutor Michael Smith said Mr and Mrs Marley lived a few doors away from France and Watson in Blackshaw Drive.

Mr Marley was about to start a new job and the couple held a celebration evening, with drinks and a gazebo in the garden.

But at 4am, Mr Marley was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary by ambulance, with a bruised and swollen face, a fractured ankle and a lump to the back of his head. Mrs Marley had a black eye and a lump to the back of her head.

It is alleged that France, 42, and Watson, 21, kicked and stamped on Mr Marley in the kitchen and France pushed Mrs Marley into a cupboard.

Mr Marley told the jury someone punched him to the side of the head and he lost consciousness.

His wife said she saw France stamping on his chest in the kitchen.

Mark Brookes, barrister for Watson, alleges Mr Marley was drunk and injured himself when he fell over.

Ken Green, for France, claimed that Mrs Marley fell in the bath after drinking and was angry that her husband had dropped down drunk.

The trial continues.