Halifax: Jail for town hooligan pair - 13/09/2004
Source: http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk
TWO Halifax Town fans have been jailed after a violent disturbance that brought traffic to a standstill outside a railway station.
Stafford Crown Court was told a group of fans went on the rampage after the match between Burton Albion and the Shaymen in September 2002.
Richard Adams, (41), of Hill Crest Avenue, Sowerby Bridge, and Mark Scott-Shaw, (39), of Abindgon, Oxfordshire, pleaded guilty to affray.
During the disturbance outside the station at Burton upon Trent, traffic was brought to a halt for about 15 minutes, said Michael Conry, prosecuting.
Yobs hurled abuse at members of the public and taxi drivers and adults covered children's eyes and ears to try to protect them.
Taxi drivers were subjected to racial abuse, one taxi had its rear window damaged and the driver was threatened, he said.
Scott-Shaw, said to have previous convictions for violence and drink-related offences, was jailed for 12 months. He had been thrown out of the ground at half-time.
Adams, a postman of previous good character, was sentenced to six months.
Judge Simon Tonking said they and others involved were "competely fuelled by alcohol.'' Some of the group used violence, while others had threatened it.
"Whatever your parts you were involved in an incident which left people injured,'' he said.
"It is difficult to say exactly who did what but it is accepted in your case, Scott-Shaw, that you used racial behaviour, you lashed out, you kicked a taxi. You, Adams, accept you used abusive behaviour and joined in.
"In a case of this kind the public would be outraged if they felt people involved in such behaviour could get away with a non-custodial sentence.''
Mr Nick Smith, for Scott-Shaw, said his client accepted being involved in a serious affray.
Mr Adam Farrer, for Adams, said he was a hard-working man who enjoyed football and had travelled abroad to watch England.. Halifax Town chairman Geoff Ralph welcomed the tough stance taken by the court.
"We are totally against any football violence and are happy the police are doing their upmost to stamp it out,'' he said.
He added: "The stewarding of home and away fans has been exemplary."
Yesterday at 4:24 pm by UFW Maltchickers
