Barry Izbak
U.T.A.
Violent footy gang jailed for train rampage
From This Is Local London - 14/03/2008
A gang of football hooligans have been banned from matches for going on a violent rampage on a train.
The six men were part of a large group who carried out random attacks on passengers on two carriages full of Charlton Athletic supporters travelling to a game at Crystal Palace.
Ordinary members of the public including women, children and the elderly were also on board when the incident happened on Saturday September 1, 2007 at about 2.20pm.
A 24-year-old Charlton Athletic fan suffered a broken nose and other passengers were head-butted, punched and verbally abused during the fracas at Sydenham train station.
British Transport Police later arrested the six hooligans, including a 16-year-old boy, in a series of dawn raids at addresses across south London, Sussex and Kent.
BTP Detective Inspector Keith Bennett said Operation Dispatch was set up to investigate the violent disorder, and involved up to 150 BTP officers and Met Police.
The six men were charged with violent disorder and all pleaded guilty to the offence.
They appeared in Southwark Crown Court on Thursday and were sentenced to between 24 and 40 months jail for what the court described as "mob conduct at its worst".
The men are banned from attending any football match in England and Wales and are forbidden from travelling on trains on any England or Crystal Palace match day.
They are not allowed within 2,000 metres of any stadium where Crystal Palace are playing, whether at home or away. The same ban extends to matches played by England.
They are also banned from local pubs in Croydon when Crystal Palace plays at home.
Harvey Neenan, 44, from Abbotts Park, Tulse Hill was jailed for 40 months and got a 10-year football banning order.
Leigh Bevis, 22, of Grange Road, South Croydon and Danny Lehane, 21, of Pembroke Road, South Norwood were sentenced to 30 months prison and a 10-year football ban.
Stephen Edwards, 40, of Rigge Place, Clapham and Tommy Patience, 19, of Salcot Crescent, New Addington were jailed for 24 months and banned for six years.
A 16-year-old boy from Purley, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was given a two community service order and a five-year football banning order.
BTP Superintendent Martin Fry said: "Members of the travelling public, including law-abiding football fans, have the right to travel in safety on match days without fear of being abused or assaulted by a few rogue elements," he said.
"The violence that ordinary members of the public were subjected to on the day in question was completely and utterly appalling.
"The courts today have sent a clear message that this sort of behaviour is out of order and have rightfully supported our request for banning orders against these individuals."
After sentencing, Charlton Athletic Football Club Operations Director Mick Everett said: "Charlton Athletic FC would like to congratulate British Transport Police on a thoroughly professional and successful operation."
"This mindless, violent, and unprovoked attack on our supporters and also members of the travelling public was a despicable and cowardly act."
John de Bono, 21, of High Street, St Mary Cray was also jailed for 30 months and banned from football for ten years.
Dominic Goodridge, 32, of Northdown Road, Caterham got 40 months jail and a 10-year banning order.
From This Is Local London - 14/03/2008
A gang of football hooligans have been banned from matches for going on a violent rampage on a train.
The six men were part of a large group who carried out random attacks on passengers on two carriages full of Charlton Athletic supporters travelling to a game at Crystal Palace.
Ordinary members of the public including women, children and the elderly were also on board when the incident happened on Saturday September 1, 2007 at about 2.20pm.
A 24-year-old Charlton Athletic fan suffered a broken nose and other passengers were head-butted, punched and verbally abused during the fracas at Sydenham train station.
British Transport Police later arrested the six hooligans, including a 16-year-old boy, in a series of dawn raids at addresses across south London, Sussex and Kent.
BTP Detective Inspector Keith Bennett said Operation Dispatch was set up to investigate the violent disorder, and involved up to 150 BTP officers and Met Police.
The six men were charged with violent disorder and all pleaded guilty to the offence.
They appeared in Southwark Crown Court on Thursday and were sentenced to between 24 and 40 months jail for what the court described as "mob conduct at its worst".
The men are banned from attending any football match in England and Wales and are forbidden from travelling on trains on any England or Crystal Palace match day.
They are not allowed within 2,000 metres of any stadium where Crystal Palace are playing, whether at home or away. The same ban extends to matches played by England.
They are also banned from local pubs in Croydon when Crystal Palace plays at home.
Harvey Neenan, 44, from Abbotts Park, Tulse Hill was jailed for 40 months and got a 10-year football banning order.
Leigh Bevis, 22, of Grange Road, South Croydon and Danny Lehane, 21, of Pembroke Road, South Norwood were sentenced to 30 months prison and a 10-year football ban.
Stephen Edwards, 40, of Rigge Place, Clapham and Tommy Patience, 19, of Salcot Crescent, New Addington were jailed for 24 months and banned for six years.
A 16-year-old boy from Purley, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was given a two community service order and a five-year football banning order.
BTP Superintendent Martin Fry said: "Members of the travelling public, including law-abiding football fans, have the right to travel in safety on match days without fear of being abused or assaulted by a few rogue elements," he said.
"The violence that ordinary members of the public were subjected to on the day in question was completely and utterly appalling.
"The courts today have sent a clear message that this sort of behaviour is out of order and have rightfully supported our request for banning orders against these individuals."
After sentencing, Charlton Athletic Football Club Operations Director Mick Everett said: "Charlton Athletic FC would like to congratulate British Transport Police on a thoroughly professional and successful operation."
"This mindless, violent, and unprovoked attack on our supporters and also members of the travelling public was a despicable and cowardly act."
John de Bono, 21, of High Street, St Mary Cray was also jailed for 30 months and banned from football for ten years.
Dominic Goodridge, 32, of Northdown Road, Caterham got 40 months jail and a 10-year banning order.
