Eight “extremely aggressive” Lincolnshire football thugs await sentencing

Eight men from the Grimsby and Cleethorpes area are among 30 football fans appearing before Hull Crown Court to be sentenced for serious violence this week.

The eight who were involved in the most serious violence appeared before court on Monday, April 30.

As previously reported, 29 men were charged with violent disorder after clashes between Grimsby Town and Sheffield United fans at a pre-season friendly at Blundell Park on Saturday, July 23, 2016.

Supporters from both sides were “extremely aggressive towards each other, throwing bottles and other missiles, as well as fighting”, Humberside Police said.

A further 11 men appeared in court on Tuesday, with seven more scheduled to appear on Wednesday and three on Thursday.

Violence at football friendly

Over 100 officers, including dog handlers, were involved in containing the violence.

There were 10 major incidents involving fans of both clubs, with clashes flaring up in Market Place, High Street and Isaac’s Hill in Cleethorpes, between midday and 6pm on the day of the match.

Police were forced to ask pubs to close.

After the match there were further incidents in Suggitt’s Lane and Grant Street and a number of arrests were made on the day.

Following a detailed investigation by police, working closely with officials from both clubs, 27 men admitted to being involved in varying degrees of violent disorder.

A further three men admitted public order offenders.

Superintendent Dave Hall at Humberside Police said: “The violence and disorder that surrounded this match was deplorable – some of the worst our officers have seen.

“True fans don’t go out looking for trouble. The vast majority just want to show their support for their team and enjoy themselves – and we are there to make sure that’s what happens.

“However, if anyone does cross the line, we won’t hesitate to take action and, as these cases show, we take it very seriously.”

The Eight Men

---

Tommy Austwick

Tommy Austwick, 20, of Highfield Avenue, Grimsby, was arrested at the scene after kicking out at a man on the floor. Cannabis was also found on him.

---

Jordan Chaplin

Jordan Chaplin, 20, of Cleethorpes, kicked the man on the ground once, saying he believed him to be responsible for assaulting his friend earlier in the day.

---

Lewis Dobbs

Lewis Dobbs, 22, of Grimsby, was involved in confrontations before the match and kicked the man on the floor following the match.

---

Ryan King

Ryan King, 21, of South Killingholme, was also involved in confrontations before and after the match, including kicking the man on the ground.

---

Jackson Rawlins

Jackson Rawlins, 23, of New Waltham, twice kicked the man on the floor following the match and later was involved in confrontations with Humberside Police officers in Grant Street.

---

Tommy-Lee Webster

Tommy-Lee Webster, 23, of Grimsby, was involved in the attack on the man on the ground after the match.

---

Jordon Wilkinson

Jordon Wilkinson, 23, of New Waltham, was told his case will now be heard on Wednesday (May 2), due to lack of court time.

---

Macorley Robinson

Sentencing of Macorley Robinson, 20, of Holton-le-Clay was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared and he was released on conditional bail.