Pompey thugs jailed: Judge slates hooligans as throwback to bygone violent days

The judge who jailed eight Pompey fans for a rampage in Guildhall Square before a Plymouth game told them they had a '˜clear intent to fight on a large scale'.Â
Stills from body-worn police cameras during violence before the Pompey-Plymouth game in 2017. 
Eight men have now been jailed.Stills from body-worn police cameras during violence before the Pompey-Plymouth game in 2017. 
Eight men have now been jailed.
Stills from body-worn police cameras during violence before the Pompey-Plymouth game in 2017. Eight men have now been jailed.

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.'

Stills from body-worn police cameras during violence before the Pompey-Plymouth game in 2017. 
Eight men have now been jailed.Stills from body-worn police cameras during violence before the Pompey-Plymouth game in 2017. 
Eight men have now been jailed.
Stills from body-worn police cameras during violence before the Pompey-Plymouth game in 2017. Eight men have now been jailed.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Despite 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.

Read More
Eight Pompey hooligans jailed for Guildhall Square violence before Plymouth gam...

'˜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. 

'˜It is a matter of luck there were no serious injuries especially to the man on the floor getting kicked.'