Pair in football pitch attacks avoid jail

Two footballers who attacked opponents during a match in the Black Country, have avoided jail.

Violence broke out during a six-a-side match between The Underdogs and the Borussia Teeth at the Sneyd Community School pitches in Bloxwich.

Shaun Neville, of The Underdogs, pounced on opposition players and his team-mate Dean Simmonds joined in, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard yesterday.

The March 21 attack left Neil Timms with a broken jaw and Todd Nash, with a fractured cheekbone.

Judge Amjad Nawaz told the court that the pair deserved an opportunity and handed them suspended prison sentences. Victim Mr Nash, 25, of Heath Town, Wolverhampton, said: "I am very disappointed that they didn't go to prison."

Rhydion James, prosecuting, said the trouble started when Neville pulled James Bird on to the Astroturf where he was punched. Mr Nash went over to help his friend, only for Neville to punch him. Then Neil Timms was attacked by Simmonds.

Oliver Woolhouse, defending Simmonds, said his client had experienced a "difficult start in life" and suffered problems with alcoholism.

Chris O'Gorman, defending Neville, said his client had won many man of the match awards in the past.

Simmonds, 32, of Winterley Lane, Rushall, and Neville, 25, of Bloxwich Lane, Beechdale, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm. Neville also admitted assault. They were given 12-month prison sentences, suspended for two years, ordered to do 115 hours of unpaid work and pay £800 in compensation.

The Underdogs were banned from the six-a-side league and all the team members have had life bans from the organisation which runs the league.