Eight Leicester City football hooligans have been sentenced following ‘disgraceful’ violent disorder in Nottingham, shortly before Nottingham Forest’s FA Cup victory last season.
The shameful scenes, which involved the men goading and threatening frightened families before smashing the windows of a restaurant, occurred before an FA Cup tie between Nottingham Forest and Leicester City last February 6.
Children were present as a group of men – angered by a rival fan – gathered outside a restaurant in Chapel Bar, Nottingham, and began hurling abuse at those inside.
Worse was to follow as bottles, glasses and furniture were thrown at the windows and doors – sending broken glass flying. Three people sustained minor injures.
Diners – including families with children – were left cowering inside as the men continued their assault outside.
Nottinghamshire Police launched a major investigation into the incident and later released shocking CCTV images in a bid to track the perpetrators down.
Multiple suspects were later arrested – four of them in early morning police raids.
Eight men later pleaded guilty to violent disorder and were sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court yesterday (Wednesday, February 15).
Craig Flint, 41, of Silver Street, Coalville, also pleaded guilty to another incident of violent disorder on the same day in the Lace Market, when bottles and street furniture were thrown at another bar containing Nottingham Forest fans.
Flint also breached a football banning order imposed after he pleaded guilty to taking a flare into the Nottingham Forest v Leicester game. He was jailed for 21 months.
Craig Jones, 24, of Arden Avenue, Braunstone, was jailed for 16 months.
Tyrone Smith, 38, of Central Road, Leicester, was also jailed for16 months.
Al three men were also handed six year football banning orders.
Nathan Charles, 37, of Pits Avenue, Braunstone, was given a 14 month prison sentence suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work.
Warren Green, 60, of Peverel Road, Leicester, was given a 14 month prison sentence suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work.
Samuel James-Malloy, 25, of Warwick Avenue, Kettering, was also given a 14 month prison sentence suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work.
Neil Munden, 54, of Kinsdale Drive, Leicester, was given a 15 month sentence suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work.
Przemyslaw Danik, 41, of Rutland Street, Leicester, was handed a 15 month sentence suspended for two years, ordered to carry out 140 hours unpaid work, and instructed to pay compensation of £250.
These five men were also handed four year football banning orders.
Detective Constable Rebecca Brosgarth, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “These were disgraceful, cowardly acts of violence that caused considerable alarm and distress to the people who witnessed them.
“The CCTV evidence in this case was utterly damning – showing a group of grown men behaving in a way that should shame every one of them.
“We put a lot of effort into tracking down the people involved, and I would like to thank every member of the public who gave us the names we needed to take this case forward.
“As the football season continues, I hope this incident serves as a reminder to all visitors to our city. If you behave in this way we will do whatever it takes to track you down and prosecute you.”
