Ex City Player Goes To Jail For Assault

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FROM BBC WALES WEBSITE

Two Newport County footballers have been jailed for a year for an "impulsive and gratuitous" attack on a man out celebrating his 21st birthday.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that Andrew Thomas, 23, and Darren Jones, 22, kicked, punched and knocked unconscious pub-goer Michael White in an alleyway.

The pair were found guilty of causing actual bodily harm earlier this month.

Judge David Morris rejected bail applications by the defendants, who had denied the charge, pending appeal.

Both men, who are regulars for the Conference South club, claimed they had acted in self defence.

Prosecuting, Kevin Seal told the court how the incident happened after Mr White, out celebrating his birthday, was thrown out of a pub in Newport and shouted at the players.

You approached this man who you did not know and pretended to offer him assistance.

Judge David Morris

"The pair put their arms around him in an apparently friendly gesture," said Mr Seal.

"But they led him to an alleyway where they set upon him. Mr White was left unconscious and covered in bruises."

The court was told that Thomas and Jones, the club skipper and a former Wales schools international, insisted Mr White had provoked the assault.

'Source of shame'

Nigel Fryer, defending Jones, described the incident as "a moment of madness".

"Mr White was not an innocent party - he was being restrained by his girlfriend," he said.

Ex-Bristol City defender Jones was "a decent young man with a promising football career ahead of him," said Mr Fryer.

Sarah Waters, representing Thomas, a fellow defender, who has made almost 200 senior appearances for County, said the conviction would be a constant source of shame for the footballer.

Judge David Morris told the pair their behaviour was "impulsive and gratuitous" and that they had lost their self control.

"You approached this man who you did not know and pretended to offer him assistance." he said.

"But you then physically assaulted him and left him temporarily unconscious."

Maybe this is an incentive for those at our club to think twice before throwing fists

[JudgeRed]

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