Year’s jail for soccer yob who punched police horse in face
Patients ‘ at risk’ in quarter of hospitals
A FOOTBALL thug who punched a police horse in the face after his team lost to their bitter rivals has been jailed for 12 months.
Barry Rogerson, who launched a ferocious right hook at the startled shire- cross, said before being sentenced: “I love animals.”
The 45- year- old, from Bedlington, Northumberland, joined rampaging hooligans after Newcastle United lost 3- 0 to Sunderland last April 14.
Rogerson, who receives £ 5,000- a- year disability allowance for a lung condition that leaves him unable to work, last month pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
He was photographed punching 14- year- old West Yorkshire police horse Bud during the mayhem.
A court order also bans him from attending a football match for six years.
His wife Teresa, 47, a school supervisor, said after the hearing she would not allow him to go to watch Newcastle ever again.
She said: “He normally never goes out anywhere without me.
“I let him out once by himself and look what happens.”
Speaking before the hearing, the father- of- one added: “I reacted stupidly. I did not go out to attack a horse. I love animals.
“I’ve got three dogs, a fish pond and I feed foxes across the road.” Robert Adams, defending, told Newcastle Crown Court: “Mr Rogerson is 45 and he, perhaps more than any other, has had the humiliation of almost constant press coverage about his involvement.
“He is extremely embarrassed and ashamed.
“He has a very good work record of 22 years, it is only illness that stops him from working.
“He has never bothered the police before in any way.
“He is not somebody who has ever supported or encouraged this type of behaviour.”
Jailing Rogerson, Judge Paul Sloan, QC, said: “There was a risk of serious injury from what you did.
“That officer could have been thrown from the horse.
“On this occasion you drank far more than you should have.”
The horse was shaken but not injured by the assault and resumed work three days later at Baroness Thatcher’s funeral.
Rogerson is one of seven men who have pleaded guilty to violent disorder in relation to the postmatch riot. All have been jailed.
The case was heard three days ahead of another match between Newcastle and Sunderland at the Black Cats’ Stadium of Light on Sunday. PATIENTS are at risk of serious harm and even death as a result of poor treatment in a quarter of NHS hospitals, a damning new report reveals.
Urgent inspections of at least 44 of the 161 NHS trusts must be carried out, says the Care Quality Commission.
The regulator yesterday highlighted concerns about high death rates, botched treatment which has “caused harm” to patients, staff problems and long waits in A& E.
The report puts 24 trusts at the highest level of risk, including Basildon and Thurrock, Buckinghamshire Healthcare, Medway, North Cumbria, Tameside and Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool.
Dr Mark Porter of the British Medical Association said: “Where trusts are below par we urgently need to find a solution.” But he added: “The fact is many trusts are buckling under extreme financial pressure.”