September 09, (THEWILL) – A Leeds United supporter, who assaulted Newcastle United’s manager during an English Premier League match last season, has been sentenced to 12 weeks in jail, a district judge ruled on Friday, at Leeds Magistrates’ Court.
David Derbyshire, aged 35, was also banned from attending football matches for six years after he ran onto the pitch and pushed Eddie Howe in the closing stages of the match between the two sides at Elland Road in March. He was quickly restrained by security staff at the stadium and arrested by officers from West Yorkshire Police.
Derbyshire had pleaded guilty to charges of unlawfully entering the playing area at a football match and common assault against Howe, at a hearing in July. Leeds reacted by imposing a lifetime ban “on the individual involved in the incident.”
A spokesperson for the local police force stated that behaviour of this kind would always be treated seriously, and that they would work closely with both clubs to fully investigate any offences, including pursuing football banning orders against those responsible.
He added that criminal acts of this nature were “totally unacceptable”, especially when aimed at club staff or players during major sporting events.
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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
