Footie Fans Banned For 60 Years
21 March 2012, 16:12 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50
Middlesbrough footie fans who fought with Sheffield Wednesday supporters before a game last year have been banned for over 60 years.
Eight football supporters have been handed custodial sentences and lengthy banning orders for affray and violent disorder.
The men were arrested for their part in a fight before the Sheffield United v Middlesbrough football match on Saturday 9 April last year.
Rival fans threw glasses in the beer garden outside the Roebuck Tavern on Arundel Gate, when a member of the public confronted a number of Middlesbrough supporters about their actions, he was attacked and beaten unconscious, causing severe injuries.
Seven Middlesbrough supporters and two Sheffield fans were charged.
Carl Davison, from Billingham, was sentenced to six months in a Young Offenders' Institution for affray and handed a six-year football banning order, while his cousin 22 year old Daryl Davison, also from Billingham, was sentenced to two years in prison for violent disorder and given a nine-year banning order.
19 year old Patrick Hebblethwaite, 19, from Northallerton, was sentenced to nine months in a Young Offenders' Institution for affray and banned for nine years.
17 year old Jack Baker, from York and Harry Gregory, 18, from Northallerton, were both sentenced to twelve months in a Young Offenders' Institute for violent disorder and handed a nine-year ban.
A father and son from Billingham were also sentenced together for violent disorder. 19 year old Jack Thomas, was given two years in a Young Offenders' Institute and a nine-year ban, whilst his father Gerard Thomas, who is in his 40s, was handed a two-year prison sentence and a nine-year ban.
Two Sheffield United fans were also found guilty of affray in connection with the initial incident in the beer garden. 27 year old David Jones, from Sheffield, was sentenced to 12-months imprisonment and given a six-year banning order. The other man failed to appear at court and will be sentenced at a later date.
DC Jamie Smith of Cleveland's Football Banning Unit said: “The sentences handed out should act as a warning to anyone thinking of getting involved in football violence or disorder. Most of those sentenced had no previous convictions, yet still received custodial sentences.
“Whilst the vast majority of football supporters continue to behave well, those that do misbehave at football matches will be dealt with robustly. Youngsters drawn into this violent culture should think carefully about how much they love the game. A moment of gratuitous violence can result in a lengthy ban, so think carefully about your behaviour at matches.”
