Twenty-three men sentenced to over 48 years combined for violent disorder in Ryton
They were sentenced at Warwick Crown Court.
A group involved in violent disorder at a boxing tournament in Ryton have been jailed for a total of more than 48 years.
This follows a two-year investigation from Warwickshire Police and involving assistance from police forces including the Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police and an additional two years of criminal justice proceedings.
On 15 February 2020, a national amateur junior boxing championship was taking place at a sports centre at Ryton when a group of nearly 60 men arrived in a convoy of 13 vehicles.
The men entered the venue and targeted a small group of men inside, initiating a mass violent disorder that would last for the next 20 minutes.
After a period where chairs were thrown and people attacked, several of the men then went back outside and retrieved an array of weapons from the boots of the vehicles, including pickaxe handles, axes, knives, and spades.
Some then started to attack vehicles in the car park, before the group headed back into the venue to further attack the small group of men inside.
Members of the smaller group were cornered in the bar area, where the large group tried to get to them.
One victim was forced to the ground where he was kicked, punched, and slashed with a blade, leaving him with injuries that required stitches on his face.
Extensive damage was also caused to the venue.
This incident effectively cancelled this national junior boxing event.
There were approximately 300 members of the public present at the time, comprising mostly of juveniles competing that day and their families who had travelled to support them.
CCTV showed that 26 members of the attacking group were armed with weapons which ranged from knives to pickaxe handles, spades, and hand-axes.
Following the event, officers and detectives launched a large-scale investigation to trace those responsible.
Rigorous examination of CCTV and mobile phone footage led to the identification of over 30 suspects, largely from the London and Buckinghamshire area.
Following a lengthy arrest and interview phase in late 2020 / early 2021 (in the midst of national Covid lockdowns), the Crown Prosecution Service authorised 29 men to be charged with Violent Disorder, some charged additionally with Sec 20 assault leading to grievous bodily harm and an array of weapons offences.
This materialised into trials throughout 2023 which saw scores of convictions, culminating in a series of sentencings through July 2024.
At the conclusion of sentencing at Warwick Crown Court on 18 July 2024, His Honour Judge Potter commended the Police investigation and the efforts of the officers who investigated this difficult case.
Detective Constable Middleton said: “This was a brazen, outrageous incident that saw people injured and would have caused huge distress to hundreds of members of the public who had simply attended a venue to enjoy a sporting event.
“Why any member of this group thought they would get away with turning a public venue into a warzone is beyond both me and the rest of the team who took part in this investigation.
“This has been a huge undertaking and I welcome the sentences handed out. All those involved in this ridiculous, dangerous behaviour now have plenty of time – whether it be through doing unpaid work or sitting in a prison cell – to reflect on their actions.
“The message is clear – there is no safety in numbers for people involved in violent disorder. Behave like this in our communities, and we’ll be catching up with you.”
Full details of those convicted:
Larry McCarthy, 30, of Colne Park Caravan Site, West Drayton, Greater London was jailed for 40 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder, assault and possession of a knife.
Anthony McDonagh, 29, of Colne Park Caravan Site, West Drayton, Greater London was jailed for 44 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder, assault and possession of a knife.
Declan McDonagh, 23, of Colne Park Caravan Site, West Drayton, Greater London was jailed for three years after pleading guilty to violent disorder, assault and possession of an offensive weapon.
William McDonagh, 36, of Pendles Paddock, Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire was jailed for 42 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder, assault and possession of knife.
Denis Murphy, 43, of Golborne Road, London was jailed for 28 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon.
Francis O’Donnell, 24 of Lynton Close, London, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and to possession of a bladed article. He was jailed for 33 months.
Simon G. O’Donnell Snr, 43, of Stable Way, London pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. He was jailed for 30 months.
Simon O’Donnell Jnr, 22, of Stable Way, London was jailed for 30 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder.
Charles Ward, 47, of Pendles Paddock, Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire was jailed for 25 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder and possession of a knife, he had already served 5 months on remand.
Patrick Corcoran, 35 of Pendles Paddock, Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. He was jailed for 27 months.
Martin J. McDonagh, 35 of Burnhill Close, London, pleaded guilty to violent disorder. He was jailed for 29 months.
Michael O’Donnell, 26 of Hadrian Way, Staines-upon-Thames, was found guilty of violent disorder and possession of a bladed article. He was sentenced in his absence to four years imprisonment.
Richard O’Donnell, 33 of Stable Way, London, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. He was jailed for 28 months.
Edward McDonagh, 35, of Colne Park Caravan Site, West Drayton, Greater London was jailed for 44 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder, assault and two counts of possession of an offensive weapon.
Martin G. McDonagh, 41 of Colne Park Caravan Site, West Drayton, Greater London, pleaded guilty to violent disorder, possession of an offensive weapon, and possession of a bladed article. He was jailed for 40 months.
Steven McDonagh, 37 of Colne Park Caravan Site, West Drayton, Greater London, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. He was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment.
Anthony T. O’Donnell, 29, of Middle Ground, Wheatley, Oxfordshire was jailed for 32 months after being found guilty of violent disorder after trial.
Anthony O’Donnell, 34, of Old Maidstone Road, Sidcup, Kent was given a 22-month prison sentence suspended for two years after pleading guilty to violent disorder
Simon G. O’Donnell, 36 of Stable Way, London, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4 of the Public Order Act concerning threatening words and behaviour. He has been given a sentence of four months imprisonment, suspended for one year, along with 100 hours of unpaid work.
Jason O’Donnell, 35 of Stable Way, London, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4 of the Public Order Act concerning threatening words and behaviour. He was sentenced to three months imprisonment suspended for one year, and 100 hours of unpaid work.
Daniel North, 37 of Bramley Road, London, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4 of the Public Order Act concerning threatening words and behaviour. He has been given a sentence of three months imprisonment, suspended for one year, along with 80 hours of unpaid work
Simon C. O’Donnell, 37, of Stable Way, London pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4 of the Public Order Act concerning threatening words and behaviour. He has been sentenced to a 12-month community order with 70 hours of unpaid work.
Brian O’Donnell, 46 of Stable Way, London, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4 of the Public Order Act concerning threatening words and behaviour. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order and 80 hours of unpaid work.