Six West Ham fans jailed for violent disorder

A total of 45 years’ of Football Banning Orders and more than eight years’ of jail sentences have been handed to a group of football fans for their part in violent disorder that took place outside a pub in Islington following the Arsenal vs West Ham United game in August 2015.

Nine men were all found guilty, or pleaded guilty, to violent disorder and were sentenced at Blackfriars Crown Court at two separate hearings on Wednesday, 11 January and Friday, 13 January.

Officers from the Met’s Public Order Crime Team, with support from the Met’s Central Football Unit carried out an investigation into violent disorder that took place in Upper Street, N1 on 9 August 2015. A fight broke out shortly after 7pm outside the White Swan pub between a large number of Arsenal and West Ham fans after the two teams had played each other at Arsenal’s stadium earlier that day.

Missiles and objects including bottles, tables, chairs and street furniture were all thrown during the incident between the two sets of fans. Police were called to the incident and the crowd dispersed, but no arrests were made at the time.

However, officers subsequently examined CCTV footage of the incident and identified and arrested a number of men suspected of being involved. Twelve men were charged with violent disorder, resulting in the conviction of nine of the men. Three men were found not guilty following a two-week trial in December 2016 at Blackfriars Crown Court.

Detective Chief Inspector John Oldham, from the Met’s Public Order Crime team, said: “This group of men were involved in serious fighting and violent disorder outside a pub; behaviour that, quite simply, is totally and utterly unacceptable. Through our investigations, we have identified a large number of those responsible and they are now facing the very serious consequences of their actions. Those involved in the worst of the disorder are now facing lengthy custodial sentences and this should serve as a warning to other fans that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated.” 

The following six men (West Ham fans) were convicted of violent disorder and were sentenced on Friday, 13 January at Blackfriars Crown Court:

Christopher Love pleaded guilty on 6 May 2016 and was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment and given an eight-year Football Banning Order.

Paul Ogden pleaded guilty on 12 October 2016 and was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and given an eight-year Football Banning Order.

James Bevan was found guilty on 14 December 2016 and was sentenced to two-and-a-half years’ imprisonment and given an eight-year Football Banning Order.

Danny Butler  was found guilty on 14 December 2016 and was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and given an eight-year Football Banning Order.

Mark Gittins was found guilty on 14 December 2016 and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and given an eight-year Football Banning Order.

Tony Hackett was found guilty on 14 December and was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment – suspended for 24 months – ordered to pay £1,000 costs and given a five-year Football Banning Order.

The following three men (Arsenal fans) all pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Blackfriars Crown Court on 6 December 2016 and were all sentenced on Wednesday, 11 January to six months’ imprisonment – suspended for 18 months – and ordered to pay £500 costs: Charlie Baker, Jack Bulley and Lee Bowering.