Wednesday 12 May 2010

Pro Footballer Loses Cool In Ice Cube "Riot"


A young pro footballer thug, who left a pub victim with a fractured eye socket when he and two pals started a "riot" after ice cubes were thrown, can help his club's promotion bid after dodging custody with a suspended sentence.


Dagenham & Redbridge right-back Abu Ogogo, 20, clashed with two young cricketers - punching one in the face - and kicking another after he was knocked to the floor in the Croydon night-spot.


Epsom-born Ogogo, of Chetwood Drive, Epsom, who was on Arsenal's books at the time pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm on Thomas Peach and assaulting Adam Prickett, causing him actual bodily harm, on August 9, 2008.


Croydon Crown Court heard trouble started at the 'Walkabout' bar when ice cubes were thrown and the defendant and his pals blamed the victims.


He punched Mr. Prickett in the face, causing a 2 cm cut under the left eye, and joined in kicking Mr. Peach, who suffered a fractured eye socket.


Judge Timothy Stow QC told £750 per-week Ogogo, who will be involved in his club's League Two promotion play-off this weekend: "This was an extremely unpleasant incident in this pub and there is far too much of this violence, usually fuelled by alcohol.


"It was a sort of riot at the Walkabout in which people were injured as a result of your joint actions."


He sentenced Ogogo (pictured) to eight months' imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months and ordered him to perform 120 hours unpaid community service work.


Ogogo must pay £4,000 compensation to Mr. Peach, £750 compensation to Mr. Prickett and £1,200 costs.


"I am sure on this occasion you behaved out of character and it will not happen again," Judge Stow told him. "You are a young man of considerable gifts in the football world, you earn well and should pay compensation to the victims."


Prosecutor Mr. Hal Watson told the court: "This defendant got involved in a fight in a pub where people were drinking. Other people started it and he became involved and things got out of hand."


Ogogo's co-defendants Jake Butler, 20, and Scott Roberts, 21, will be sentenced on June 11. "This was a joint-enterprise. All three were actively involved."


Mr. David Barnes, defending, said: "He has remained out of trouble since these offences and has not been in a pub or club since the day of this offence.


"He has been a regular in his team throughout this year and has a match on Saturday and Thursday and a match at Wembley if they get through."


Judge Stow added: "These are offences of violence and there is too much of this sort of violence in the clubs and pubs, people being attacked and injured. It's shocking and frightening for other people and is behaviour the courts must discourage."

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