PROBABLY the worst-turned out Darth Vader in the entire galaxy – he had a black binbag for a cape and a metal crutch for a light sabre – found himself before a magistrate today charged with assaulting two Jedis.

According to the BBC, Arwel Wynne Hughes, 27, from Holyhead, Anglesey, admitted assaulting Barney Jones and cousin Michael with the crutch. They suffered minor injuries.

Wearing his rubbish costume, Hughes jumped over a garden wall, then, shouting “Darth Vader”, first attacked Barney Jones, an avid Star Wars fan who had founded a local Jedi Church with his brother.

The court heard that Hughes had the best part of a 10 litre box of wine inside him when he carried out the drunken assault.

When Hughes failed to arrive in court on time, District Judge Andrew Shaw issued an arrest warrant, saying:

I hope the force will soon be with him.

In the event, Hughes turned up and the case at Holyhead magistrates court resumed.

Outlining the case against Hughes, prosecutor Nia Lloyd said Barney Jones had recently started the Jedi church in Holyhead - in honour of the Star Wars’ good knights. It had about 30 members locally and “thousands worldwide”.

The cousins had been filming themselves playing with light sabres in the garden before the attack.

She said that Hughes hit Barney Jones over the head with the crutch, leaving him with a headache. He then laughed and hit Michael Jones on one thigh, causing bruising. She added:

The pair believe very strongly in the church and their religion.

Hughes said he could not remember the incident and only realised what had happened when he read about it in local newspapers, the was court told.

The court heard that Hughes had previous convictions, including affray, assault and disorderly behaviour. He was warned by the judge that jail remained a possibility. The case has been adjourning for pre-sentence reports until 13 May.

The 2001 census revealed that 390,000 people across England and Wales are devoted followers of the Jedi “faith” made famous by the blockbuster films. Census officials bowed to pressure after a massive internet campaign to include Jedi on the list of British religions.

Interviewed on BBC Radio 4 news tonight, Barney Jones was asked whether his Jedi group, based on a film, could legitimately be regarded as a Church, and that by calling it one he might offend members of “real” faiths. He retorted by saying that other religious were “just based on books”.

Touché Barney!