Ten Cardiff City FC football hooligans involved in violent scenes after least season’s FA cup tie with Chelsea FC have been sentenced today.
In a joint operation between the Metropolitan and South Wales Police Service’s – codenamed Turnhill – officers mingled with the crowds to spot known troublemakers.
The ten defendants are the first set of hooligans to be sentenced out of a total of ninety-five suspects committed to West London’s Isleworth Crown Court.
Three of them have pleaded guilty to violent disorder near Stamford Bridge stadium on February 13, last year.
They are: British Army soldier Nathan Pleace, 22, of Gabalfa Avenue, Cardiff.
Financial advisor Stefan Lewis-Davies, 24, of North Rising, Pontlottyn.
Peter Corkrey, 27, of St. John’s Lane, Nelson, Treharris.
Five have pleaded guilty to affray.
They are: Printing company worker and father-of-two Dean Hales, 30, of Highmead Road, Cardiff.
Jamie Brett, 37, of Ninian Park Road, Cardiff.
Hairdresser and father-of-two Shane Taylor, 39, of Gibson Close, Llanishen, Cardiff, who runs a successful hairdressing salon
Joshua Roberts, 21, of St. James Street, Treorchy.
Liam Driscoll, 27, of Arundel Place, Cardiff.
Two have pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour.
They are: Christopher Watling, 27, of Caemawr Road, Caldicot, Newport.
Joshua Evans, 18, of Min y Coed, Brackla, Bridgend.
The court heard police categorised the game as C-plus – the highest category for potential violence – and 6,000 Cardiff City fans arrived for the noon kick-off, which was the first time the teams had played each other in eighteen years.
Prosecutor Mr. Andrew Tobias said: “The reputation of the fans and the two clubs alerted police to the high probability of spontaneous and pre-planned disorder. It was believed violence would occur.
A young mum driving along Kings Road with her nine-month old baby were caught amid the clashes between violent fans and was forced to make a sudden u-turn.
A seven-months pregnant woman told police she feared for the life of her unborn child and her own as the mob descended on her Porsche and she was rescued by three people.
No members of the public were injured and the most serious injury to a police officer was a broken jaw caused by a thrown brick.
All the defendants were caught on either local authority CCTV or images filmed by Football Intelligence Officers charging towards police lines and Chelsea fans or shouting and gesticulating angrily.
Paratrooper Pleace, who has made several tours of Afghanistan, will be kicked-out of the Army after he was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment.
“You were amongst the forefront of those causing difficulties,” Judge Martin Edmunds QC told him. “You picked up a traffic cone and threw it into the air and it landed between you and the rival Chelsea supporters.
“Drink played an element in your offending. You have number of tours, but on your return you have been involved in incidents of violence.”
Lewis-Davies, who has followed Cardiff City home and away for eight years, was sentenced to sixteen months imprisonment.
“You were clearly at the front and involved in at least two charges shouting: ‘Fucking wankers’,” Judge Edmund told him. “You were at the heart of Cardiff supporters involved in serious violence and you threw two objects.”
Ex-Royal Navy man Corkrey, who works in a wheelchair factory, was sentenced to sixteen months imprisonment.
“You were on the front line of Cardiff supporters involved in repeated surges while considerable violence took place around you,” said the Judge.
“You were jumping up and down, goading, and intent on causing a reaction. You were aggressive and made gestures at mounted police.
“You were one of the first to arrive in Kings Road clearly looking for trouble. You picked up and hurled a missile at Chelsea fans and a traffic cone in the direction of police.”
All three defendants were also given six-year football banning orders.
Hales was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months and ordered to complete 120 hours community service.
“You were among the fans and part of the charges that took place,” Judge Edmunds told him, issuing Hales with a five-year football ban and ordering him to pay £250 costs.
Brett was sentenced to eight months imprisonment and issued with a six-year football banning order.
“We see you shouting and chanting amongst a group of agitated supporters and you are part of a surge towards the opposition and you resist police attempts to push you back.
“You regard what happened as an intrinsic part of football over the last twenty years.”
Lifelong season ticket holder and football coach Taylor was sentenced to six months imprisonment and issued with a six-year football banning order.
“We see you at the front of the crowd charging and you are repeatedly pushed back by police while chanting, shouting, waving your arms and gesticulating,” Judge Edmunds told him.
“You keep appearing in the front line.”
Roberts was sentenced to six months imprisonment and issued with a six-year banning order for being an active participant in the front line of Cardiff fans who charged at Chelsea supporters.
Jobless Driscoll was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months, ordered to complete 120 hours community service, pay £250 costs and was issued with a three-year banning order.
“You persistently waved your arms and goaded Chelsea supporters and were involved in a number of surges that went to and fro,” Judge Edmunds told him. “You had to be forced away by the police.”
Watling, employed by Scottish Southern Energy, was given a 12-month supervision order, ordered to complete 120 hours community service, pay £250 costs and was issued with a three-year banning order.
“It looks like you were in the wrong company that day,” the Judge told him. “You chose to remain there and by your presence encouraged others.
“We see you grabbing out at others and you were binge-drinking that day.”
Evans received a 12-month supervision order, was ordered to complete 80 hours community service and pay £250 costs and received a three-year banning order.
“You are part of the crowd that pushes forward and resists the stewards and we see you involved in a surge.”
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