Seven hooligans due to be sentenced for violent disorder after Portsmouth v Southampton match

Ugly scenes erupted after the game on September 24 last year at Fratton Park as angry fans were seen launching missiles at police officers and opposing fans.

It followed bitter acrimony before the game - Hampshire’s biggest policing operation - with flares let-off at Fratton station the moment Saints fans poured from the carriages onto the platform.

A long track of police vans were used as a shield separating the two sides, with officers also acting as human shields during the skirmishes.

Tensions were riding high with it the first derby match since 2012 and the first weekday match since 1995.

Hampshire police has now confirmed seven men have admitted a charge of violent disorder for events after the final whistle and will now be sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court in October.

A police spokesman said: ‘Police had to deal with groups of fans acting aggressively, and throwing items at officers and other fans.’

The men due to be sentenced are Cameron Blackman, 26, of Castle Street, Portchester; Michael Foy, 34, of Station Road, Drayton; Jack Halstead, 24, of Buckland Road, Waterlooville; Lewis Harbour, 23, of Beach Road, Southsea; Daniel Marsh, 40, of Binsteed Road, Fratton; Jamie Robb, 22, of Bemisters Lane, Gosport and Jamie Steeves, 19, of Stubbington Avenue, Portsmouth.

Marsh and Robb appeared at crown court on Thursday where they admitted the offence.

The other five defendants admitted the offence at previous Portsmouth Magistrates’ Court hearings.

More than 640 officers were drafted in to keep Blues fans away from the 2,000 visiting Saints fans for the hotly anticipated game.

Drunken Derek Jennings, 53, of Laburnum Grove, Copnor, was among the mob involved in running battles that blighted the streets surrounding the ground.

The yob - who described his own actions as ‘stupid’ - was jailed for 20 months in July for violent disorder after he punched a police horse in the mouth and nose.

The seven men will now find out their fate on October 9 when they are sentenced.

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