Pompey thugs jailed: Judge slates hooligans as throwback to bygone violent days
Judge Timothy Mousley QC took a dim view of the '˜prolonged' and '˜premeditated' violence that was a '˜throwback' to bygone hooligan days.
He said: '˜This did not arise out of a sporting rivalry but from a clear intent to fight in public on a large scale.'
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Hide AdDespite lengthy running battles against police in Guildhall Square and clashes with Plymouth fans, including where one was repeatedly booted like a football, things could have been far worse.
'˜Had it not been for the police there would have been a flashpoint involving about 200 men which I have no doubt was the intention on both sides,' Judge Mousley said.
He added: '˜There were no serious injuries but clearly there was the potential for them but for the well organised and professional response of the police.Â
'˜It is a matter of luck there were no serious injuries especially to the man on the floor getting kicked.'