City fan’s ban after door-slam assault
AN “AGGRESSIVE” Cardiff City fan slammed a steward’s head in a door following an altercation while attending a football match with his son.
Shocking footage capturing the moment shows staff trying to remove the football fan from the stadium before he runs at the door and kicks it into the head of a “devoted” steward, who has been with the club for over 20 years.
David William Morgan, 48, has been banned from attending football matches for three years after appearing in court yesterday, where he pleaded guilty to assaulting steward David Motherway by beating him.
Morgan, of Hunter Street, Cardiff, admitted he assaulted the steward when Cardiff City played Huddersfield Town on August 21.
Prosecuting, Matthew Thomas said: “It happened at Cardiff City Stadium at a match between Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town.
“David Motherway is a steward at the stadium.”
Cardiff Magistrates’ Court heard Mr Motherway noticed a fight among Cardiff fans and attempted to
calm the situation.
After this failed, Morgan was eventually removed from the ground.
The court was then shown CCTV footage of Morgan when staff tried to calm him outside the stadium.
It shows him coming back and forth before eventually slamming a door into Mr Motherway’s head and causing it to jam.
The court was told this led the victim to bleed and show signs of concussion.
“While outside the ground the defendant acted aggressively and used words to the effect of ‘I will take you all on”,” added Mr Thomas.
“His (Mr Motherway’s) head was trapped between the door and the door jamb.
“There were four police officers on that day – the altercation took two officers away from the stadium.”
Morgan was later arrested and was said to be “shocked” after viewing the footage.
The court was told he was trying to build a relationship with his son after separating from his wife.
Morgan was said to have been drinking prior to the incident, which led to his recollection of events being hazy.
Mr Thomas said: “When he saw the CCTV he was clearly shocked at seeing his actions, saying he couldn’t remember what he did.”
Defending Morgan, Martha SmithHiggins explained that the defendant accepted his actions and was sorry for what he had done.
She explained he was happy to accept the banning order as long as it didn’t prevent him from working on the trains at Transport For Wales.
Sentencing Morgan, District Judge Stephen Harmes said the incident could have led to Mr Motherway receiving some “serious injuries”.
Judge Harmes said: “I’m appalled by what I’ve seen today.”
Morgan was handed a football banning order, which is to last for three years.
He was also ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work, and has to pay £500 in compensation to the victim as well as other court costs.