Ex-Navy officer among fans sentenced over attacks on police and Leeds United stewards

A FORMER Royal Navy officer and a teaching assistant were among three Birmingham City fans sentenced for their part in violent disorder at Elland Road after Leeds United’s centenary match last year.

City supporter Michael Flint – a 48-year-old former Royal Navy officer of Costello Drive, Castle Bromwich, Solihull, with an exemplary service record – was handed a suspended prison sentence at Leeds Crown Court after he admitted violent disorder.

Callum Mahon – a 20-yearold teaching assistant of of Pleck Walk, Birmingham who works with children with additional needs – was locked up for ten months in a young offender institution after he admitted violent disorder. Kevin Hill, 33, of Ascot Gardens, Worsley, West Midlands, who also admitted violent disorder, was jailed for ten months yesterday.

The trio were the first to be sentenced after police charged a total of 26 men and two youths with violent disorder following a series of public appeals for information.

Leeds Crown Court heard disorder erupted inside the stadium after the final whistle on Saturday, October 19, before continuing outside on Elland Road after the match.

Birmingham City fans attacked stewards and police in the stadium during the worst violence seen at Elland Road for many years.

Carmel Pearson, prosecuting, said police feared they would be overwhelmed and stewards feared for their safety. One male steward suffered a head and back injury after being knocked to the ground and punched and kicked by Birmingham City supporters. A female steward had her head stamped on.

Miss Pearson said Ian Crawford, who at the time was Leeds United operations director, said in a statement: “They were demonstrating a real hatred towards the stewards and police who were present, and I would say this is the worst violence I have seen in over ten years.”

Mr Crawford suffered an injury to his eye and had to have an operation on his eyelid, the court was told.

Miss Pearson said one steward told police: “It felt like a war zone. I was concerned for my own safety, my colleagues and also the police officers.”