So, here’s the scoop – a bunch of guys got themselves banned from football matches after a big brawl at a Torquay/Exeter friendly last year. The whole thing has been dragging on in court since March 2023, and the last guy got sentenced on Friday 27 October. These dudes were caught on camera in Torquay town centre, throwing punches and causing a ruckus. They were all found guilty of public order offences and got hit with some serious penalties. Let me break it down for you:
Gavin Weeks, 32, from Newton Abbot, got slapped with a 12-month community order, 200 hours of unpaid work, £199 in court costs, and a four-year ban from football matches.
Kieran Phillips, 25, from Exeter, got the same deal as Gavin, but with 150 hours of unpaid work.
Charlie Edwards, 23, from Torquay, also got the 12-month community order, 180 hours of unpaid work, and £199 in court costs, plus a four-year football ban.
Jude Davis, 20, from Torquay, got the same as Kieran, but with 150 hours of unpaid work.
Daniel White, 21, from Torquay, got the 12-month community order, 150 hours of unpaid work, and £199 in court costs, but only a three-year football ban.
Jack White, 20, from Torquay, got the 12-month community order, 150 hours of unpaid work, a £300 fine, £205 in court costs, and a four-year football ban.
Bradley Scholes, 21, from Paignton, got the 12-month community order, 180 hours of unpaid work, £199 in court costs, and a four-year football ban.
Kieran Hughes, 23, from Paignton, got the 12-month community order, 150 hours of unpaid work, £199 in court costs, and a four-year football ban.
Danny Osborne, 30, from Exeter, got fined £120, ordered to pay £85 in court costs, and got a three-year football ban.
James Finch, 29, from Torquay, got the 12-month community order, 200 hours of unpaid work, £199 in court costs, and a four-year football ban.
Mark Thompson, 35, from Torquay, got fined £400, £935 in court costs, and a three-year football ban.
Oliver Symons, 24, from Crediton, got the 12-month community order, 120 hours of unpaid work, £889 in court costs, and a three-year football ban.
These bans mean they can’t go to any football matches in the UK or travel to places where their team is playing on match days. And get this – they have to hand over their passports when England is playing overseas. PC Bruce from the Devon & Cornwall Police Sporting Events Department said, “We’re glad the courts made the call on this. We’re all about making sure fans can enjoy the games without worrying about their safety. It’s important to remember that these guys don’t represent the majority of fans who are well-behaved and make the games awesome.”