Wolves hooligan banned

Daniel Cox, of Jameson Street, Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, went to police after his face appeared in a rogues' gallery of hooligans carried by the newspaper.

The 19-year-old was sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday following his part in trouble on the day of Wolves' FA Cup clash with West Bromwich Albion on January 28.

Eleven police officers were injured as bricks, bollards and road signs were thrown in Wolverhampton city centre.

As well as the ban, Recorder Peter Cooke handed Cox a nine-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, plus 200 hours unpaid work and £263 costs. He told the teenager: "I think you do realise what an idiot you were that day.

"You are a young man with prospects. You did have the sense when you saw your picture in the paper to turn yourself in and enter an early guilty plea.

"Even though this involves throwing missiles at the police, I am giving you a suspended sentence. You are getting the choice as to whether you serve this sentence or not."

The ugly scenes saw Wolves thugs vent their frustrations on police, who kept them apart from the visiting crowd. Drivers were surrounded by violence in Stafford Street and a gas canister was set off outside the Grand Theatre in Lichfield Street. About 600 officers and support staff from across the region were brought in to police the game in an operation estimated to have cost Wolves around £20,000.

Cox is one of a number of thugs who were caught on camera during the derby violence.

Nigel Forbes, aged 26, of Lowe Street, Whitmore Reans, was also pictured tussling with an officer outside a city centre pub.

Last week he was given a three-year football banning order at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court after admitting a public order offence.

Seven West Bromwich Albion football hooligans have also been banned from games in recent months for a total of 34 years for "disgraceful" violence with Wolves rivals outside The Frying Pan pub in Darlaston.