Dad, 56, was killed in ‘violent’ village street brawl sparked by a deadly turf war between rival biker gangs
A MASS brawl which left a man dead was sparked by a deadly turf war between the Hells Angels and a rival biker gang, The Sun can reveal.
One group was “tooled up” with machetes, axes, knives and hammers for the ambush at the HQ of its bitter rivals.
Witnesses described the “carnage” as more than 20 men attacked each other with weapons in the village of Pontnewynydd, near Pontypool, South Wales.
Anthony “Tony” Jones, 56, was killed, with an eyewitness account claiming he was found face down in an alleyway with a gaping wound in his head.
Two other men were taken to hospital for injuries caused in the running street battle which happened in front of a children’s play park around 6pm last Thursday.
Cops arrested 10 men and are asking another man, Anthony Paul Jones, 40, to come forward as they launched a murder investigation.
Locals said one of the gangs had duct-taped machetes to their wrists to prevent losing their grip in the bloodbath.
A driver who stopped to help said: “There were about 20 people with machetes, hammers and axes all beating hell out of each other.
“There was a crash between a car and a van and a group of people got out of the back and joined in.
“A man ran past with a machete Sellotaped to his hand and blood running down his face.”
The passer-by said a woman neighbour came out screaming there was a man badly hurt in the street.
He said: “He was lying face down.
“I pulled him over and his head was just open.
“He wasn’t breathing. I did CPR on him until the ambulance men came. They were trying to zap him but there was nothing.
“It was carnage.”
The violence is believed to be part of a turf war between the Vikings Motorcycle Club and the Hells Angels.
Gwent Police senior investigating officer, Detective Superintendent Laura Bartley said: “We believe the violent disorder involved members of two rival Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs, the Vikings and the Hells Angels.
“Establishing the extent of involvement of those connected to the incident remains a key focus of the investigation.
“Our thoughts remain with the family of the victim, who continue to be supported by specially trained officers.
Ten men, aged 73, 61, 59, 45, 40, 40, 39, 34, 33, and 31 were arrested in connection with the fracas opposite slides and swings where children had been playing.
Three men have been freed on bail.
Police launched a manhunt for Anthony Paul Jones, 40, from Blaenavon, Gwent, saying he “may be able to assist with inquiries”.
They are also looking for a damaged blue Ford Transit van, registration MA23 FLC, which drove into the riot before armed men burst out the back doors.
Firearms officers, a police helicopter and a fleet of ambulances were called to the scene outside the British Legion Club at 7.15pm last Thursday evening.
A large cordon continued to be in place Tuesday as forensic officers scoured the scene for evidence.
More than 5,000 people have been “cut off” due to prolonged road closures which are set to be in place until the weekend.
Locals said an innocent cyclist had a lucky escape when he rode into the middle of the riot and was mistaken for a gang member.
A father-of-three who lives 200 yards from the battle ground said: “I was walking my dogs when I heard a woman screaming down the phone calling for help.
“The next minute there were police everywhere and a helicopter was trying to land. It was chaotic, there was blood on the streets and men lying injured.”
Another local, a 41-year-old family man, said: “There’s some sort of rivalry between these two Welsh gangs.
