11 sentenced following disorder before East Anglian derby in April

17 men and three teenage boys have appeared in court and entered pleas to various offences following a violent disorder prior to the Norwich City v Ipswich Town football match in April.

11 of the defendants were also sentenced at the same hearing.

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 pleas (and sentences if applicable) are as follows:

• Aaron Rolfe, aged 31 and of Kered Road, Norwich pleaded guilty to causing fear or provocation of violence. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order and ordered to complete 80 hours unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £85 in costs, an £114 victim surcharge and issued with a five-year Football Banning Order.
• Sydney Mason, aged 25 and of Brightys Opening, Norwich pleaded guilty to causing fear or provocation of violence. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order and ordered to complete 100 hours unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £85 in costs, an £114 victim surcharge and issued with a five-year Football Banning Order.
• Jack Collins, aged 24 and of George Close, Bradwell, Great Yarmouth has pleaded guilty to causing fear or provocation of violence. He has been sentenced to a 12-month community order and 150 hours of unpaid work. He has also been ordered to pay £85 in costs, an £114 victim surcharge and issued with a five-year Football Banning Order.
• Ronnie Oliver, aged 21 and of The Shrublands, Horsford pleaded guilty to causing fear or provocation of violence. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order and ordered to complete 100 hours unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £85 in costs, an £114 victim surcharge and issued with a five-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).
• Alessandro Pagano, aged 30 and of Macbeth Road, Meon Vale, Stratford-upon-Avon has pleaded guilty to causing fear or provocation of violence. He was ordered to pay £85 in costs and fined £1,022 (including victim surcharge).
• Luke George, aged 29 and of Oulton Road, Lowestoft 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 £820 (including victim surcharge) and issued with a five-year Football Banning Order.
• Liam Reynolds, aged 24 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.
• Jacob Conley, aged 18 and of Astell Road, Norwich pleaded guilty to causing fear or provocation of violence. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order and ordered to complete 80 hours unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £85 in costs, an £114 victim surcharge and issued with a four-year Football Banning Order.
• George Riches, aged 18 and of Dyer Close, Horsford pleaded guilty to affray. He will be sentenced on 29 January 2025.
• Harry March, aged 23 and of Stoke Road, Poringland pleaded guilty to affray. He will be sentenced on 29 January 2025.
• Kieran King, aged 25 and of St Peters Place, Fordham, Ely pleaded guilty to affray. He will be sentenced on 29 January 2025.
• Daniel Muttock, aged 40 and of Woodland Road, Hellesdon has pleaded guilty to affray. His sentencing has been adjourned until 5 February 2025.

Two teenage boys pleaded guilty to causing fear or provocation of violence. One was sentenced to a youth referral order for nine months, ordered to pay £40 in costs, a £26 victim surcharge and issued with a four-year Football Banning Order. The second boy will be sentenced on 23 January.

A third teenage boy pleaded guilty to use of threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. He was issued with a conditional discharge, ordered to pay £40 in costs, a £20 victim surcharge and issued with a three-year Football Banning Order.

Four men pleaded not guilty. 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 fro Monday 18th 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 18 and of Marguerite Close, Bradwell, Great Yarmouth has pleaded not guilty to causing fear or provocation of violence. He will appear at Great Yarmouth Magistrates Court on 22 January 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 Great Yarmouth Magistrates Court on 22 January 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 Great Yarmouth Magistrates Court on 22 January 2025.

Investigating officer, PC Elisabeth Palmer said: “I am hopeful that this case will demonstrate that football violence will not, and should not, be tolerated - irrelevant of what teams are playing or their long-standing rivalries. All football fans should feel safe when making their way to a match, and this was completely disregarded by these individuals on this occasion.”

Dedicated football officer, PC Mat Ewing said: “This has been a thorough investigation involving officers from a variety of departments both in Norfolk and supporting forces. The football banning orders issued to the defendants are reflective of the courts view that the behaviour displayed was not acceptable and will not be tolerated at or in connection with football matches.”

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