Man charged after Newcastle birthday brawl

A man has been charged following a brawl in Newcastle that left several people with minor injuries.

Three people were taken to John Hunter Hospital following a brawl of up to 20 people outside a birthday party at a Sandgate hotel on Saturday night.

An 18-year-old was arrested and later charged with affray and behaving in an offensive manner, police say.

He was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court in January.