Further sentencing passed following football disorder

A further four men have appeared at Norwich Magistrates Court and been sentenced for affray following a violent disorder prior to the Norwich City v Ipswich Town football match in April.

This follows a previous hearing where a number of other boys and men were sentenced in connection with the same incident.

The incident occurred on Saturday 6 April 2024 at around 11.45am on Heathside Road, Cotman Road, Thorpe Road, and Carrow Road when a group of men and boys were verbally and physically aggressive towards each other.

The sentences are as follows:

• George Riches, aged 19 and of Dyer Close, Horsford pleaded guilty to affray. He was sentenced to six months in prison and ordered to pay an £154 victim surcharge. He was also issued with a five-year Football Banning Order.
• Harry March, aged 23 and of Stoke Road, Poringland pleaded guilty to affray. He was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay an £154 victim surcharge. He was also issued with a five-year Football Banning Order.
• Kieran King, aged 26 and of St Peters Place, Fordham, Ely pleaded guilty to affray. He was sentenced to six months in prison and ordered to pay an £154 victim surcharge. He was also issued with a five-year Football Banning Order.
• Daniel Muttock, aged 40 and of Woodland Road, Hellesdon pleaded guilty to affray. He was sentenced to a three month in prison, suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay £85 in costs and an £154 victim surcharge. He was also issued with a four-year Football Banning Order.

Both Riches and King appealed their prison sentences immediately following the hearing. They have been released on conditional bail pending a further Crown Court date.

The following three men were sentenced at an earlier hearing but have since received Football Banning Orders. Their full sentences are as follows:

• Alessandro Pagano, aged 30 and of Macbeth Road, Meon Vale, Stratford-upon-Avon pleaded guilty to causing fear or provocation of violence. He was ordered to pay £85 in costs and fined £1,022 (including victim surcharge). He has now been issued with a four-year Football Banning Order.
• Liam Reynolds, aged 25 and of Cattawade Street, Manningtree, Essex has pleaded guilty to causing fear or provocation of violence. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order and ordered to complete 150 hours unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £85 in costs, an £114 victim surcharge. He has now been issued with a four-year Football Banning Order.
• Karl Dawson, aged 63 and of Walnut Close, Felixstowe has pleaded guilty to use of threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. He was ordered to pay £85 in costs and fined £967 (including victim surcharge). He has now been issued with a four-year Football Banning Order.

Four men pleaded not guilty at an earlier hearing. Their next hearing details are as follows:

• Jay Sturman, aged 28 and of Sewell Road, Norwich has pleaded not guilty to causing fear or provocation of violence. His trial is set for Monday 18 August 2025.
• Samuel Williams, aged 35 and of Pennywort, Ely has pleaded not guilty to causing fear or provocation of violence. His trial is set for Monday 18 August 2025.
• George Beare, aged 19 and of Marguerite Close, Bradwell, Great Yarmouth has pleaded not guilty to causing fear or provocation of violence. He will appear at Norwich Magistrates Court on 28 February 2025.
• Jude Davey, aged 18 and of The Street, Rockland St. Mary has pleaded not guilty to causing fear or provocation of violence. He will appear at Norwich Magistrates Court on 28 February 2025.

Dedicated football officer, PC Mat Ewing said: “These additional Football Banning Orders and sentencings continue to highlight a thorough and lengthy investigation into the disorder seen at this match. This shows a strong stance from the courts that the behaviour and conduct seen that day will not be tolerated.

“People run the risk of not attending football matches for a significant period of time should they pose a risk at matches and this will be dealt with accordingly”.