8 Fans Jailed after Nuneaton Violence

Police outside The Granby on the day of violence in Nuneaton

Eight jailed after violence between football fans in Nuneaton. Video.

Taken from the Coventry Telegraph.

Eight men have been jailed for their parts in ‘disgusting’ mob violence in Nuneaton town centre as police desperately tried to keep rival football fans apart. Prosecutor Theresa Thorp told the crown court at Leamington that a total of 22 men had pleaded guilty to charges of violent disorder.

She said the background to the incident was Nuneaton Town’s home match against Lincoln City last March. During the

morning a police football intelligence officer became aware of up to 70 Lincoln supporters gathering at the William White pub. “They were a group who were likely to cause trouble and were told to remain in the pub, and a police support unit was deployed to contain them.

“They were using phones, and it became plain that groups of rival supporters were trying to organise a fight; and further Lincoln supporters gathered at the George Eliot pub nearby.” By shortly after midday there was a group of 60 or 70 Nuneaton fans at the Granby pub, and attempts were made by the Lincoln fans to confront them.

And at the height of the disorder more than 50 police officers and four dogs had been deployed to contain 100 Nuneaton supporters outside the Granby. One of them, former soldier Laurie Spencer, ran at one officer, shouting and making hand gestures.

The officer used his baton to push him back, and he then spat at the officer’s visor before another officer used his shield to push him back.

The fans were eventually pushed back and ‘kettled’ in the pub where the police used their shields to barricade the door and the windows.

Extensive damage was then caused inside the pub, where 30 innocent people who had been having lunch were left shocked and distressed.