Huddersfield Town football fans from Mirfield jailed after brawl with rivals

JUDGES VERDICT Two football fans were jailed for a brawl with club rivals by a district judge at Kirklees Magistrates' Court.

The fight between Huddersfield Town and Barnsley supporters took place on March 1 in St George’s Square, Huddersfield.

District Judge Michael Fanning sentenced Jonathan Hellings, 25, of James Street, to 16 weeks in prison and an eight-year football banning order.

He then sentenced 18-year-old Liam William Collins, of Towngate, to 10 weeks and a six-year banning order.

The judge said Hellings had a history of football violence, and breached a previous banning order that was set in 2010 to stop him being within two miles of the John Smiths Stadium.

Supporters of the men were in tears in the court when the sentences were read out on Wednesday.

Sentencing the two at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court, the judge said: “It would be wrong for me to approach this as a town centre scuffle – this is the ugly face of football.

“This ridiculous, mindless violence is damaging to football and to Huddersfield as well. Football hooliganism causes anxiety and fear.

“It ruins the face of Birtish football and it will not be tolerated.”

CCTV footage shown to the judge was said to show Hellings punching one of the two men, and Collins pull the man to the ground.

Both men had already pleaded guilty to using threatening words or behaviour with intent to cause fear, or provoke, unlawful violence.

Mitigating for Collins, Ben Tighe said he was currently studying at college and in part-time employment. He also argued CCTV footage showed he had a more peripheral role in the violence.

Mitigating for Hellings, Emily Price said despite his past he had “grown up quickly” as he now had a partner and a child, employment and coached juniors at Mirfield Parish Cricket Club.