Update: Prison & Banning Orders for Two QPR Fans

[QPR Report]

A neutral Subject title (given the grief I got some months ago on this subject)

Watford Observer

Queens Park Rangers fan was 'slaughtered'
2:31pm Thursday 9th July 2009

Two Queen's Park Rangers fans – including one from Watford – have been found guilty of violent disorder by a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court and warned to expect jail.

Paul Colman and John Spear were convicted of being involved in the disturbance in the buffet bar at Manningtree railway station after the Ipswich Town game on 29 March last year.

Judge David Turner QC adjourned sentence until 6 August and granted them bail but warned "custody is inevitable".

Colman, 50, of Romilly Drive, Watford, Herts, and John Spear, 57, of Pield Road, Hillingdon, had both pleaded not guilty.

The court heard that violence erupted when QPR fans piled off the London-bound 6.18pm train after their 0-0 draw with Ipswich Town. Women and children were among those attacked in the "mayhem" inside the bar. Customers were punched and kicked, glasses were thrown and smashed and one QPR supporter used a bar stool as a weapon to hit a man over the head.

Prosecutor Stephanie Farrimond said in her closing speech: "It was akin to something out of the Wild West, a scene where we expect to see cowboys brawling in a bar and tumbling into a dusty street. It was mayhem."

Colman and Spear both have previous convictions for football related incidents and are subject to three-year banning orders from attending games.

Miss Sankey identified them as kicking and/or punching 60-year-old Ipswich supporter Robert Williams and she pointed Colman out to police.

Colman told the court he was "slaughtered" and couldn't remember what he had or hadn't done because he was so drunk.

www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/4484114.Football_thugs_told_to_expect_jail/

[cpr]

So the Maningtee incident is all but complete, bar the sentencing.

Good defence that one though.

How old?

One song the yoof won't be singing anymore.

Edit: Blimey! Couldn't find the thread I'd just posted on for a minute there!

[QPR Report]

East Anglia Daily Times

Station buffet manager praised
COLIN ADWENT

Last updated: 7/10/2009 6:00:00 AM

A BROOM-wielding heroine has been praised for single-handedly fighting off more than a dozen marauding football yobs in Manningtree.

Police commended the bravery of railway station buffet manager Charlotte Sankey following the convictions of two Queen's Park Rangers fans for violent disorder.

Paul Colman, 50, and 57-year-old John Spear, who both had previous football-related convictions, were among around 15 London fans who injured bystanders while trying to wreck the bar.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard the 22-year-old manageress drove them out of the bar by swinging a broom at them.

Following the guilty verdicts, British Transport Police detective constable Alan Reed spoke of Miss Sankey's courage during the incident after Ipswich's home game with QPR on March 29 last year.

Dc Reed said: “Colman and Spear were part of serious disorder which took place when a group of hooligans burst into the Manningtree railway station bar shouting “We are QPR”. Bottles and glasses were thrown and customers were injured.

“While it was going on Charlotte appeared from behind the bar waving a broom, swinging it around and got the hooligans out before closing the door on them.

“She was extremely brave in the circumstances, with missiles and furniture being thrown about the bar. Without her bravery there is not doubt other people would have been injured and further damage done.

“If it was not for her there would have been much more serious injuries. She defended herself, her customers and members of the public admirably.”

Miss Sankey said she did not have time to think about the consequences after she heard the disturbance while she was in the cellar

She said: “It was fight or flight. I heard glasses being smashed. I came running upstairs and saw mayhem going on.

“There were probably seven or eight of them in the bar and others were trying to get in. Glasses were flying around along with stools. Women and children were screaming.

“I picked up a broom in the kitchen and ran into the middle of the bar and tried to hit anyone who came in.

“I supposed adrenaline kicked in at first, but in hindsight it was really worrying. It's my dad's business as well so I wanted to protect the people in here.”

Spear, of Hillingdon, has previous convictions for threatening behaviour at a QPR v Celtic game and battery on a female steward at a match with Southampton.

Colman, of Watford, has earlier convictions for invading the pitch at a QPR v Port Vale game and threatening behaviour at a match against Plymouth.

They are due to be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on August 8. Both are currently on bail.

www.eadt.co.uk/content/eadt/news/story.aspx?brand=EADOnline&category=News&tBrand=EADOnline&tCategory=xDefault&itemid=IPED09%20Jul%202009%2018%3A44%3A52%3A100

[weavie]

none of us were there so we will of course never know the reality of what happenedbut both these guys are good friends of mine,as yet i havent got there account so i cant comment,but
drink was definately associated with this crime......................

[Bushman]

How sad are they 50 & 57.
I wonder if there village knew they had gone missing on the March 29th.

[Zamoraaaah]

Jul 10, 2009 10:30:21 GMT Bushman said:

How sad are they 50 & 57.
I wonder if there village knew they had gone missing on the March 29th.

Very true Bushman.

Long time no see mate, are you looking forward to the new season?

[Bushman]

Hi Z

Another season full of promise a mate

[klr]

Two Words: "Absolute" & "Morons"

How anyone can carry on like that at that age really is beyond me

[Zamoraaaah]

Jul 10, 2009 12:55:03 GMT Bushman said:

Hi Z

Another season full of promise a mate

Hehe but this year we'll be champions...

[QPR Report]

Interesting the complete silence re this on the other QPR sites (as far as i saw)

[cpr]

LFW has a thread. Org does not. Don't use any others, as you know.

[QPR Report]

Thanks!

[Bushman]

Jul 11, 2009 0:08:31 GMT QPR Report said:

Interesting the complete silence re this on the other QPR sites (as far as i saw)

Maybe the other sites are too embarrassed or scared to talk about it.
As the two herberts are well known for trouble.

[QPR Report]

And as first reported back in 2008
qprreport.blogspot.com/2008/03/qpr-fan-violence-charged.html
Monday, March 31, 2008

QPR Fan Violence Charged
-
Not something QPR want to be associated with.

Ipswich Evening Star Terrified Town fans attacked
31 March 2008

Paul Sankey indicates the window that was smashed by vandals at the Manningtree station buffet

A BAYING mob of away football fans descended on a bar full of Ipswich Town supporters and embarked on a frenzied attack, which up to 50 people were caught up in.

A gang of about 15 Queen's Park Rangers fans smashed bottles, threw bar stools and punched customers in one of the worst scenes of football violence in recent months.

The incident was the third of its kind in the last two months where trouble has been caused following matches, prompting fears the dark days of football hooliganism have returned.

Witnesses reported seeing the away fans, who were on their way back to London from Saturday's goalless match at Portman Road, get off the train as it pulled into Manningtree station at about 6pm. They then burst their way into Manningtree Station Buffet and began shouting “we are QPR” while throwing bottles and punching ITFC fans, including one pensioner.

More than half of the home fans in the café bar on the platform at Manningtree station were children as young as eight, who were left petrified by the random assault in which three home fans were injured. One person was taken to Colchester General Hospital.

The incident ended when the fans ran back to the train however the National Express service was halted by police and kept at the station for about 15 minutes.

Four men, aged 44, 47, 48 and 50, were arrested by Essex police for offences ranging from affray to actual bodily harm and public order offences. They were taken to Clacton police station where they were interviewed by British Transport Police officers.

A spokeswoman for Essex police said: “We were called about 6.15pm to the Buffet to reports of a fight with Ipswich and QPR fans. There were 50 of them in total. BTP are now dealing with the incident.”

Paul Sankey, 52, who has owned the Station Buffet for the last eight years, described the incident as “scary” and said his 21-year-old daughter Charlotte, the only staff member working at the time, was very shaken up.

Mr Sankey was called as the violence erupted and he arrived just as the fans were running back to the train.

He said: “I locked the door and stood by it to stop anyone from coming in. Charlotte had taken the children up towards the back so they were kept out the way.

“We get a lot of fathers bringing their children in here before and after games. There were a lot of women and children in here at the time. They were petrified and some of the children were crying.

“I think the fans knew what they were doing because they all got off at a door right opposite us. We do have a lot of Ipswich fans come in here on match days when they are waiting for their trains, but they are usually families.

“Charlotte was just shouting at them to get out. She was shaken up afterwards. It was scary enough for a man let alone a young girl or children.”

Staff at the station called police and officers from Essex police and British Transport Police quickly arrived at the scene.

Two windows were smashed, and with the amount of glass and bottles broken as well as a bar stool, Mr Sankey believes the damage will come to about £300.

A spokesman for the BTP said: “The British Transport Police aren't out to spoil the fun but 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.”

British Transport Police today said the investigation was ongoing.

Were you one of those injured at the café or did you witness the event? Call the Evening Star newsdesk on 01473 324788 or e-mail [e-mail].



Messages from both home and away fans were posted on the ITFC supporters website Those Were The Days

Jimmy Luff wrote: “After the game about a dozen guys came in chucking bottles and glasses. A couple of Ipswich fans were cut and taken to hospital. Lots of kids in there crying. Back to the dark ages. QPR fans must be well proud.”

A fan, using the website name CoulsdonR, said: “Another QPR fella here. There is always gonna be a bad element but the majority of us are civilised, decent supporters. Never had a problem with Ipswich.”

AldersbrookBlue: “I have lots of QPR mates and it's a civilised club with decent fans, on the whole. Sadly, all London clubs will always have a few fans who feel that they can come out of the smoke to a provincial town and think they can lord it. And I say that as a London-based Town fan who has just arrived home from a drive down the A12.”

hertsblue: “Was on that train with my two kids - cant say I was very impressed. I did hear that the "fight" was pre-planned - don't know if it was or that was just talk. Got off at Liverpool Street and there were police everywhere and QPR fans singing their hearts out - sounding a bit aggressive if you ask me. I think we will take the car next time.”

Saturday's trouble follows a number of football-related arrests involving Ipswich matches

On Saturday, March 15, BTP officers were called in after train company National Express East Anglia reported a disturbance involving Charlton fans on the 5.30pm train from Norwich to Liverpool Street.

Staff on board the train called police and the train was held at Chelmsford station where officers had been waiting.

Stephen Rowlinson, 37, of Burrage Road, Plumstead, London, has been charged with criminal damage. He is due to appear in South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, April 23.

Trevor Green, of Blickling Close, Ipswich, appeared in South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court where he pleaded guilty to affray and admitted attacking rival fan Geoffrey Bonsor following a defeat against Watford on February 9.

Green, 28, is now facing a possible prison sentence and a ban from football matches when he appears in court next month.

Another Blues fan Robert Reed, 30, of Malvern Close, Ipswich, was banned from going to football matches for the next three years after admitting threatening an opposition supporter after the same game. Ipswich Evening Star


Sussex and Essex Online/Russell Claydon - Four arrested after rail station fracas

FOUR football fans were arrested after trouble broke out at Manningtree Railway Station last night, police said.

The men were arrested following a disturbance at the train station around 6.30pm.

Essex Police officers arrested the men, aged 44, 47, 48 and 50, for offences ranging from affray to actual bodily harm and public order offences.

They were taken to Clacton Police Station, where they are currently being interviewed by British Transport Police officers.

It is thought they were QPR fans travelling back from the match against Ipswich Town EADT

[QPR Report]

And a similar account

Ipswich Gazette - Broom-wielding heroine breaks up soccer hooligans' bar-room brawl

11:00am Monday 13th July 2009

By Andrea Collitt »

A BROOM-wielding heroine who single-handedly fought off football yobs as they barged into a railway station bar has been praised by police.

Fearless 22-year-old bar manageress Charlotte Sankey leapt into action at Manningtree station buffet as missiles and furniture were thrown about.

Queen’s Park Rangers supporters Paul Colman and John Spear were found guilty for violent disorder and are due to be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on August 8.

The pair, who both had previous football-related convictions, were among about 15 fans from London who injured bystanders while trying to wreck the bar.

But Charlotte, a former Manningtree High School pupil, drove them out of the family-run premises by waving a broom at them.

She said: “I was downstairs in the cellar. I heard smashing glass. I came flying up the stairs and there was glass flying everywhere.

“I went into the kitchen and grabbed a broom and ran to the entrance and was trying to get people out. I stood by the door trying to hit people as they came in.

“There were a lot of women and children in there and I wanted to make sure they weren’t going to get hurt.

“I didn’t really think about it.”

Charlotte said that, since the events of March 29 last year, following Ipswich Town’s home game against QPR, there had been a drop in families coming to the premises.

She said: “We used to have a lot of families, but they don’t come in as much now.

“People know it was not our fault, but it has affected us.”

Following the guilty verdicts, British Transport Police detective constable Alan Reed spoke of Charlotte’s courage.

He said: “Colman and Spear were part of serious disorder which took place when a group of hooligans burst into the Manningtree railway station bar shouting ‘We are QPR’.

“Bottles and glasses were thrown and customers were injured. While it was going on, Charlotte appeared from behind the bar waving a broom, swinging it around and got the hooligans out before closing the door on them. She was extremely brave in the circumstances, with missiles and furniture being thrown about the bar.

“Without her bravery, there is no doubt other people would have been injured and further damage done.

“If it was not for her, there would have been much more serious injuries. She defended herself, her customers and members of the public admirably.”

Spear, 57, of Hillingdon, has previous convictions for threatening behaviour at a QPR versus Celtic game and an assault on a female steward at a match with Southampton.

Colman, 50, from Watford, has earlier convictions for invading the pitch at a QPR versus Port Vale game and threatening behaviour at a match against Plymouth Argyle.

Both are currently on bail before they are sentenced.

www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/4487310.Broom_wielding_heroine_breaks_up_soccer_hooligans__bar_room_brawl/

[FloridaR]

Really pathetic + chased away by a woman swinging a broom.

[Lonegunmen]

I thought this was the domain of young idiot fans not old "I wish I was an Idiot fan/s"

[QPR Report]

Unless there's been a change, sentencing scheduled near the end of this week.

[QPR Report]

And to keep things neat: This statement from the club today (August 5)

Queens Park Rangers Football Club

Queens Park Rangers Football Club is known by other football fans to be a family Club.

We pride ourselves on being a family Club; yes, we are loud and proud as our true fans support our team with passion, but we do not welcome hooligans.

We have supporters whose attendance at Loftus Road goes back generations and those fans expect to be able to bring their children to our Stadium.

Foul, abusive, violent language and behaviour committed by a small number of people who attend the home areas is spoiling our real fans’ enjoyment and kids are now not always so keen on coming back.

Likewise we receive complaints from our fans about the behaviour of others who travel away from home. We need our real fans, not hooligans, to support our team away from home.

Entering the pitch during a game is equally not acceptable and leads to our Club being in jeopardy with the Football Association.

We condemn hooligan behaviour and entering the pitch, with those found to be committing such disgraceful acts facing a lengthy (or for specific offences lifetime) ban from attending our Stadium or purchasing tickets for away games.

QPR are determined to ensure that supporting our team continues to be a great experience and to remove from the Stadium those who do not share our goal of ensuring the Club remains suitable for young and old to attend.

[QPR Report]

Watford Observer

Six year football banning orders and jail for two QPR fans
Tuesday 11th August 2009

Two football hooligans – including one from Watford – have been slapped with six-year-banning orders and prison sentences for their involvement in a mass brawl.

Queens Park Rangers fans Paul Colman, 50, of Romilly Drive, Carpenders Park, and John Spear, 57, from Uxbridge both received the banning orders preventing them from attending football games, starting with immediate effect.

In addition, Colman received an 18 month jail sentence, while Spear was sentenced to 21 months for their involvement in a violent fight, which saw bottles thrown and innocent bystanders injured, including a pensioner, in Manningtree Station ‘s bar in Essex.

The troubled flared after a group of QPR fans entered the bar shouting after an away game against Ipswich Town.

PC Alvin Soomary, from British Transport Police who successfully applied for the football banning orders, said: “This was a serious incident of violent disorder that saw law-abiding members of the public fearing for their own personal safety.

“Those who think they can behave in such a way, and ruin other people’s days out in the process, should know that they will be dealt with robustly.”

The two men must not enter any premises where football is being played until the orders have expired nor must they loiter within a three-mile radius of any stadium where a QPR away game is taking place.

During England home matches, the two men must not enter the British railway or London Underground network without the permission of police authorities.

PC Soomary concluded: "QPR fans, like the majority of supporters across the country, are well behaved people who enjoy following their team,”

“It should be clear that it is the behaviour of a small minority, such as Colman and Spear, who bring the game into disrepute.”

www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/4539972.Six_year_football_banning_orders_and_jail_for_two_QPR_fans/

[QPR Report]

London Informer

QPR fan jailed after vicious brawl
Aug 11 2009 By Dan Coombs

A QUEEN'S Park Rangers football fan has been banned for six years and sent to prison following a violent brawl.

John Spear, 57, of Pield Heath Road, Uxbridge, was sentenced to 21 months in jail for his involvement in a violent incident last March which saw several innocent bystanders injured.

Trouble flared in Ipswich two seasons ago when a group of QPR fans, including Spear, burst into a pub near the away team ground, and began throwing bottles and glasses.

A 70 year-old Ipswich Town fan was badly hurt in the incident at Manningtree station's bar.

PC Alvin Soomary, football intelligence officer at British Transport Police, said: "This was a serious incident of violent disorder that saw law-abiding members of the public fear for their safety.

"Those who think they can behave in such a way, and ruin other people's day out in the process, should know they will be dealt with.

Under the terms of the six year banning order, Spear must not enter any premises where football is being played in England or Wales.

In addition, when QPR play an away game or England are playing at home, he must not enter the rail network without permission of the British Transport Police.

A second man, Paul Colman, 50, of Watford, was also banned and given an 18 month jail sentence.

The pair were sentenced on August 6 at Chelmsford Crown Court

www.londoninformer.co.uk/london-news/london-local-news/2009/08/11/qpr-fan-jailed-after-vicious-brawl-113489-24373968/

[QPR Report]

East Anglia Daily Times - COLIN ADWENT

Pair jailed for railway station violence

HE may look like a harmless old man, but ageing football yob John Spear has been jailed after smashing up an Essex railway station buffet.

Along with Paul Colman, the 57-year-old was among a gang of around 15 Queens Park Rangers fans who attacked customers and vandalised the bar at Manningtree station.

Spear has been jailed for 21 months by Chelmsford Crown Court after being convicted of violent disorder, while Colman, 50, was given an 18-month prison sentence for the same offence.

Both took part in the terrifying attack which happened after Ipswich Town's home game against QPR on March 29 last year.

The pair, who have a history of football-related offences, have also been hit with six-year football banning orders.

Their attempts to destroy Manningtree station buffet were finally thwarted by manageress Charlotte Sankey, who managed to fight off the rioting yobs by wielding a broom.

Following Colman and Spear's trial the 22-year-old was praised for her bravery by British Transport Police.

Detective Constable Alan Reed said: “Bottles and glasses were thrown and customers were injured.

“While it was going on Charlotte appeared from behind the bar waving a broom and got the hooligans out before closing the door on them.

“She was extremely brave. Without her bravery there is no doubt other people would have been injured and further damage done. If it were not for her the injuries would have been much more serious.”

Shortly after the hooligans stormed the buffet shouting “We are QPR”, Miss Sankey emerged from the cellar.

She said: “I came running upstairs and saw mayhem going on. There were probably seven or eight of them in the bar and others were trying to get in.

“I picked up a broom and ran into the middle of the bar and tried to hit anyone who came in. It's my dad's business so I wanted to protect the people in here.”

Spear, of Hillingdon, has previous convictions for threatening behaviour at a QPR v Celtic game and battery on a female steward at a match with Southampton.

Colman, of Watford, has earlier convictions were for invading the pitch at a QPR v Port Vale game and threatening behaviour at a match against Plymouth.

Pc Alvin Soomary, football intelligence officer from British Transport Police, said: “This was a serious incident of violent disorder.

“In this case the courts have imposed restrictive six-year banning orders that will severely curtail their ability to travel. I hope this sends out a strong message that behaviour of this kind will not be tolerated.”

www.eadt.co.uk/content/eadt/news/story.aspx?brand=EADOnline&category=News&tBrand=EADOnline&tCategory=xDefault&itemid=IPED11%20Aug%202009%2019%3A07%3A12%3A940

[Lonegunmen]

What a pair of complete prats.