Childhood Forest fan Robert Biggs is languishing in jail after he headbutted Sheffield United captain Billy Sharp who was watching the Reds' epic win over the Blades from the sidelines. Biggs, of Church View, Ilkeston, was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison.
The sentence reflected the guilty plea entered by Biggs on Thursday (May 19) to assault, causing bodily harm, to Sharp. The former Forest loan star, who played under former Reds boss Sean O'Driscoll during the 2012-13 Championship season, was left needing four stitches to his lip.
Sharp was "completely shocked and couldn't believe it", his statement read at Nottingham Magistrates' Court. He was shaken up and wanted to know who had done that to him.
READ MORE: Forest fan admits attacking Billy Sharp after Nottingham Forest match
District Judge Grace Leong ordered shamed Biggs to pay Sharp £500 compensation, a victim surcharge of £128 and £85 costs. More importantly, Biggs, a £50,000-a-year electrical engineer, was handed a football banning order for 10 years, with the judge telling him in the dock: "I'm afraid it has to be for ten years as an element of deterrent."
Forest won on penalties, she reminded 30-year-old Biggs, who wore casual clothes for the hearing. "Hundreds of fans invaded the pitch which is a move which is not permitted, and you ran on to the pitch."
Video of the pitch invasion, showing a mass of fans on the pitch and smoke coming from flares, was played in court after the Reds won on penalties, after a 3-3 draw on aggregate. "The video played in court proved to me that you were running towards Billy Sharp and that you dodged all the other spectators to get towards him," added the judge.
"I am of the view it was a targeted act of aggression, even if momentary at the time and not premeditated." And she said Biggs, a season ticket holder, must have seen Sharp fall over but Biggs, "did not stop to check if he was alright or whether he was seriously injured".
The case is so serious a custodial sentence must be imposed, she added. "Given the gravity of this offence committed when there were thousands present to witness it and potentially could have given a rise to further incidents, there has to be an element of deterrence and it must be a custodial sentence."
She said Biggs, whose lawyer said he, "got carried away in the moment", had headbutted Sharp - who was looking else elsewhere at the time and could not have taken avoiding action. Sharp was left in shock and his lip had to be stitched.
Forest looked to have the tie under control, winning the first leg 2-1 at Bramall Lane and leading 1-0 in the reverse game at half-time on Tuesday (May 17) night.
But the Blades hit back to score two before the final whistle, sending the game into extra-time and then penalties. The Reds kept their nerve to beat Sheffield United, with goalkeeper Brice Samba the hero, saving three penalties as Forest beat the Blades 3-2 in the shootout. Steve Cooper's side will play Huddersfield Town at Wembley on May 29.
