Manchester United fans fought with their own protesters moments before chaos erupted at Old Trafford. Up to 2,000 fans heading to the ground ahead of the proposed game between United and Liverpool, which was being played behind closed doors in May 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The fixture was later abandoned after peaceful protests turned ugly, with some fans throwing bottles, breaking into the stadium and making it onto the pitch. A total of 40 fans have admitted violent disorder for their part in the large scale disturbance.
In the latest batch of defendants to be sentenced, five men appeared before Manchester Crown Court on Wednesday for their involvement in a melee which happened prior to the ‘mob violence’.
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Prosecutor David Lees said events began on May 2 2020 at around 4.30pm, when a group gathered around the Trinity Statue, located outside the grounds, and hung an anti-Glazer flag over it.
“A group of men tried to remove it, a fight broke out, bottles were thrown, punches were thrown at various stages,” the prosecutor said.
“This involved the five defendants who were limited to this incident. They were not present when items were thrown at the police later on.
“It started at the statue when they pulled the flag down, another man tried to stop them and Michael Hughes punched him. Liam Riley also swung a punch. Many were gesticulating and there was pushing. Four of the defendants returned after briefly leaving and continued with the aggressive behaviour.”
Footage of the incident was shown to the court, depicting what each defendant did during the fracas.
Michael Hughes, 31, of Manchester, was seen to stride up to the group holding the flag in place and pull it away before punching a man who tried to stop him. In the second part of the incident, after he had left, he came back and continued arguing with some of the group before punching another man.
He was said to have six previous convictions, which were football related, including for affray following a street brawl after a Manchester derby. He was on bail at the time.
Liam Riley, 32, of Denton, was seen to be part of the group that followed Hughes towards the flag. He pushed one protester back, punches were thrown and he appeared to be gesticulating. Riley was said to have five convictions for five offences, including for violent disorder following a derby match.
Louie Bates, 30, of Prestwich, was seen to run over to where the scuffle was developing before he punched a man, whilst someone could be heard saying: “f****** come on”. Bates has convictions for 28 offences including violent disorder and wounding.
Michael Lewis, 36, of Denton, was seen to engage in threatening behaviour and threw a can in the direction of protesters, though it didn’t hit anybody. He had no previous convictions.
Paul Doherty, 54, of Denton, showed threatening behaviour and was squaring up to people. He has non-recent previous convictions.
For Hughes, David Morton said his client has ‘real regret’ over his behaviour and has been ‘living on a knife edge’ since the offences took place.
“Why did he take offence to the banner?” Judge Nicholas Dean KC asked. “He had alcohol, I’m sure he wasn’t thinking as clearly as he wanted to have been,” Mr Morton responded.
“He appears to be protesting against the protesters,” the judge said.
“He has a huge loyalty to his football team,” the defence lawyer added.
For Riley, John Kennerley said his client accepted his situation was aggravated because of his previous convictions. And for Bates, Tom Lord said his client was ‘reckless and confrontational’.
Sentencing, Judge Dean, the Recorder of Manchester, said: “You were each involved in a discreet episode of violence. For reasons I do not claim to understand, you Michael Hughes, took exception to the display of a banner.
“You were the leader of the pack. The other defendants in the dock today followed what was happening, using a combination of violence.
“It’s a bit difficult to understand what was going on, but each of you were affected by what you had to drink.”
Hughes, of Bollington Road, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment which was suspended for two years, 30 days of rehabilitation activity requirements and 120 hours unpaid work. He is already subject to a football banning order which will expire in 2024.
Riley, Fawcett Close, was sentenced to eight months imprisonment which was suspended for two years, 30 days of rehabilitation activity requirements (RAR) and 80 hours unpaid work. He was made the subject of a three year football banning order.
Bates, of Bury Old Road, was sentenced to eight months imprisonment which was suspended for two years, 30 days of RAR and 8 hours unpaid work. He was also made the subject of a three year football banning order.
Lewis, of Thompson Road, was sentenced to a two year community order as well as 70 hours unpaid work. He was made the subject of a three year football ban.
And Doherty, of Norfolk Avenue, was handed a two year community order and 50 hours of unpaid work. He was also handed a three year football ban.
Each of the defendants were also ordered to pay £500 towards court costs.
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