Footballer facing jail after he attacked opponent
BROKE PLAYER’S JAW AFTER PUNCH FROM BEHIND
A FOOTBALLER broke his opponent’s jaw in two places during a row at a five-a-side match in Huddersfield.
Alex Sanderson was taken to hospital with serious injuries following the attack during a tournament at Soccer City in Waterloo.
He was knocked to the ground after Daniel Hill punched him from behind.
Hill, 26, pleaded guilty to unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm and faces jail.
The attack at the Wakefield Road premises occurred on January 22 during a football game.
Hill and Mr Sanderson were on opposing teams and there was a disagreement over the fact that Mr Sanderson’s team were winning.
There was nothing to suggest the victim did anything wrong but Hill came up behind him and punched him in the head.
Mr Sanderson was knocked to the ground and taken to hospital where he underwent surgery to his jaw which was broken in two places.
He had to have three metal plates inserted into his mouth.
Deputy District Judge Edward Barr, sitting at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court, said that the blow occurred “after a period of calming down” and was “intended to cause serious harm.”
He said his sentencing powers were inadequate and sent Hill, of Taylor Hill Road in Taylor Hill, to Leeds Crown Court.
His solicitor Aubrey Sampson agreed and said: “He’s been advised this passes the custody threshold.”
Hill, who has no previous convictions, will be sentenced on November 22 and was granted unconditional bail.
Judge Barr told him: “You’ve pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and that will stand you in good stead.
“But this matter is too serious for this court to deal with, therefore, I’m sending you to the Crown Court sitting at Leeds.”
He ordered the preparation of a pre-sentence report, covering all sentencing options including cus