Palace fans jailed for punching, kicking and head-butting train passengers - 13/03/2008Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk
Crystal Palace fans who charged through train carriages and attacked rivals in a pre-planned riot have been jailed and banned from games for up to 10 years.
The violence happened before a game between Palace and their south London neighbours Charlton in September last year and police arrested fans whose ages ranged from 16 to 44.
Prosecutors told Judge Stephen Robbins on Thursday that some 30 Crystal Palace followers trapped Charlton supporters on the train, punching, kicking and head-butting them.
A father and his two grown-up sons were repeatedly punched, one of the sons left with blood pouring down his face and was later taken to hospital with a suspected fractured nose.
"This was sickening behaviour, thuggery, organised violence on a train on members of the public," Robbins said at Southwark Crown Court.
"You give football a bad name, especially your team, Crystal Palace, by the disgusting behaviour displayed on this occasion. The message must go out from the courts that those who behave like this will receive immediate and substantial custodial sentences to deter others."
He jailed two fans, Dominic Goodridge and Harvey Neenan, each for three years and four months. Three more were sentenced to 2½ years and two to two years.
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Source: http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk
Violent footy gang jailed for train rampageA gang of football hooligans have been banned from matches for going on a violent rampage on a train.
The six men were part of a large group who carried out random attacks on passengers on two carriages full of Charlton Athletic supporters travelling to a game at Crystal Palace.
Ordinary members of the public including women, children and the elderly were also on board when the incident happened on Saturday September 1, 2007 at about 2.20pm.
A 24-year-old Charlton Athletic fan suffered a broken nose and other passengers were head-butted, punched and verbally abused during the fracas at Sydenham train station.
British Transport Police later arrested the six hooligans, including a 16-year-old boy, in a series of dawn raids at addresses across south London, Sussex and Kent.
BTP Detective Inspector Keith Bennett said Operation Dispatch was set up to investigate the violent disorder, and involved up to 150 BTP officers and Met Police.
The six men were charged with violent disorder and all pleaded guilty to the offence.
They appeared in Southwark Crown Court today and were sentenced to between 24 and 40 months jail for what the court described as "mob conduct at its worst".
The men are banned from attending any football match in England and Wales and are forbidden from travelling on trains on any England or Crystal Palace match day.
They are not allowed within 2,000 metres of any stadium where Crystal Palace are playing, whether at home or away. The same ban extends to matches played by England.
They are also banned from local pubs in Croydon when Crystal Palace plays at home.
Harvey Neenan, 44, from Abbotts Park, Tulse Hill was jailed for 40 months and got a 10-year football banning order.
Leigh Bevis, 22, of Grange Road, South Croydon and Danny Lehane, 21, of Pembroke Road, South Norwood were sentenced to 30 months prison and a 10-year football ban.
Stephen Edwards, 40, of Rigge Place, Clapham and Tommy Patience, 19, of Salcot Crescent, New Addington were jailed for 24 months and banned for six years.
A 16-year-old boy from Purley, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was given a two community service order and a five-year football banning order.
BTP Superintendent Martin Fry said: "Members of the travelling public, including law-abiding football fans, have the right to travel in safety on match days without fear of being abused or assaulted by a few rogue elements," he said.
"The violence that ordinary members of the public were subjected to on the day in question was completely and utterly appalling.
"The courts today have sent a clear message that this sort of behaviour is out of order and have rightfully supported our request for banning orders against these individuals."
After sentencing, Charlton Athletic Football Club Operations Director Mick Everett said: "Charlton Athletic FC would like to congratulate British Transport Police on a thoroughly professional and successful operation."
"This mindless, violent, and unprovoked attack on our supporters and also members of the travelling public was a despicable and cowardly act."
John de Bono, 21, of High Street, St Mary Cray was also jailed for 30 months and banned from football for ten years.
Dominic Goodridge, 32, of Northdown Road, Caterham got 40 months jail and a 10-year banning order.
Tommy Patience
Harvey Neenhan, Daniel Lehane, Leigh Bevis and Stephen Edwards
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Source: http://www.cafc.co.uk
Fans jailed after Charlton attackSeven men who attacked Charlton fans prior to a game in September have been jailed after they were sentenced on Thursday.
In total, eight men involved in the violent football-related disorder on a train prior to the Addicks' away match against Crystal Palace on September 1st last year have been given football banning orders.
And the sentences have been welcomed by Charlton operations director Mick Everett, who said: "We would like to congratulate British Transport Police on a thoroughly professional and successful operation.
"This mindless, violent, and unprovoked attack on our supporters, and also members of the travelling public, was a despicable and cowardly act."
Police arrested the eight men in a series of dawn raids at addresses across South London, Sussex and Kent following the disorder at Sydenham railway station.
Around 40 minutes before kick-off at Selhurst Park, a large group of males boarded a train when it arrived at Sydenham station, and began a series of random attacks on passengers within two carriages of the train.
BTP Det Insp Keith Bennett said the train contained Charlton fans heading to the game against the Eagles plus ordinary members of the public, including women, children and the elderly.
"A 24-year-old Charlton fan suffered a broken nose in the incident. Several other passengers were head-butted, punched and verbally abused during the fracas," he said.
The subsequent investigation involved up to 150 officers from BTP as well as officers from the Metropolitan Police, and all eight men pleaded guilty when they appeared at Southwark Crown Court.
Seven of the eight were sentenced to between 24 and 40 months jail for what the court described as 'mob conduct at its worst', while a 16-year-old from Purley was given a two-year community service order.
In addition to their sentences, the men have been banned from attending any football match in England and Wales and are banned from travelling on trains on any day where England or Crystal Palace are playing a match.
They are also banned from entering within 2,000m of any stadium where Palace are playing, whether at home or away. The same ban extends to any matches played by England. They are also banned from entering local pubs in the borough of Croydon when Palace are playing at home.
BTP Supt Martin Fry said the sentence and the bans should serve as a warning to hooligans that violence and disorder on the railways will not be tolerated.
"Members of the travelling public, including law-abiding football fans, have the right to travel in safety on matchdays without fear of being abused or assaulted by a few rogue elements," he said.
"The violence that ordinary members of the public were subjected to on the day in question was completely and utterly appalling. The courts have sent a clear message that this sort of behaviour is out of order and have rightfully supported our request for banning orders against these individuals.
"They have shown that they can't behave when it comes to football-related activity, and as a result they will now suffer the consequences of their actions.
"BTP makes no apology for taking this tough stance - we do so for the safety of other members of the public. We will continue to crackdown on hooligan behaviour and work with football clubs to seek bans against supporters who engage in criminal activity."
Yesterday at 4:24 pm by UFW Maltchickers
