A football goalkeeper who punched an opposing fan in the face and attacked another with a metal pole has narrowly avoided a jail sentence. Liam Mitchell, of Monksway, Clifton, assaulted his victims during and after an ill-tempered match which his side lost 2-0.
Mitchell, 30, spent much of the game with his back to play as he reportedly abused and threatened a section of supporters behind his goal, according to Nottinghamshire Police. His temper finally boiled over at half-time when he tracked down and assaulted one fan and hit him to the body with a spiked training pole.
After the final whistle, Mitchell angrily confronted another fan and punched him in the face. The attack, which was captured by an amateur photographer, left the man with a fractured eye socket and permanent nerve damage.
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Mitchell gave "no comment" answers to police questions about the incident, which happened in Farnborough Road, Clifton, on the evening of October 26 last year. He later pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm and common assault.
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Appearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday (September 20), he was handed an eight-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months. Detective Sergeant James Hirst, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "This was an appalling display of violence that has absolutely no place anywhere in society – let alone at a football match.
"Mitchell had ample time to calm down and reflect on his already appalling behaviour during the game but chose instead to seek out and violently assault two fans. His behaviour was utterly unacceptable and he has rightly been punished for it."
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