Violence leads to soccer ban

A FOOTBALL fan who “lashed out” at police officers and stewards has been given a banning order.

Bradley Davies took part in a night of what an experienced police officer described as some of the worst violence he had seen at St James’ Park.

Davies, who was found guilty of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court, was at the front of a line of Leeds United fans causing trouble in the crowd corridor beneath the stadium after their team faced Newcastle United on April 14 this year.

Giving evidence, PC Mark Sadler, of Northumbria Police, told the court: “That evening was some of the worst violence and the worst incidents I’ve seen in that particular area – I’ve been policing football for 20 years.

“There was a line of Leeds fans on one side and a line of Newcastle fans on the other side.

“They were running into each other, throwing punches. It was a very violent situation the like of which I’ve rarely seen policing football and St James’ Park.”

PC Sadler said he identified Davies, 21, as one of the instigators of the violence.

Leeds fan Davies, of Gloucester Avenue, Colchester, was convicted of an offence under section four of the public order act.

He was fined £300 and ordered to pay a further £130 in costs and a victim surcharge.

Davies was banned from attending certain football matches, including Leeds games, for three years.