Behind Enemy Lines
Well-known member
Fans' rampage wrecked pub, court told
by Nigel Freedman
Tables and chairs were hurled through a pub window as rival fans clashed in a huge resurgence of football violence, a court heard.
The trouble erupted in The Lanes, Brighton, hours after Brighton and Hove Albion played Leeds United at Withdean stadium last season.
Christina Laing, prosecuting, described the incident - a throwback to the dark days of violence at grounds across England in the Seventies - as football hooliganism at its worst.
She said people were shocked and terrified as Brighton fans hurled missiles at Leeds supporters at The Pump House pub in Market Street.
Staff and customers cowered in a back room as advertising signs and chairs and tables from nearby restaurants were thrown through the windows.
Miss Laing told Hove Crown Court the Brighton fans even had their own photographer taking pictures of the incident.
The pictures were seized days later after they were taken into a shop in Brighton to be developed.
The court was told that they were later used along with footage from CCTV cameras to identify and arrest a large number of men.
Sami Abulbashar, 20, of Stonery Road, Portslade, and John Mack, 49, of Walmer Crescent, Brighton, deny violent disorder on October 23.
Miss Laing said: "A huge amount of damage was caused.
"Everyone who witnessed what happened was shocked and terrified at the level of violence."
Miss Lang said there was evidence the clash had been planned.
She said Brighton fans had been at The Sussex pub in nearby East Street and had left moments before the violence erupted.
Miss Laing said: "A group of 25 men faced the Pump House chanting: ëSeagulls, Seagulls and come on out if you want it.'
"Staff heard one of the Leeds fans say, ëthey are here' and they got up and pushed towards the door.
"Fighting began and stools were used to smash windows and other missiles were thrown at the pub."
Paul Sewell, the pub manager, said tables and chairs were raining through the broken window.
Barmaid Katrina Drake phoned the police but was so terrified she had an asthma attack and could not complete the call.
Her colleague Darren Nolan said in his statement: "I could hear screaming and windows being smashed.
"I went to the front of the pub and watched in disbelief."
Miss Laing alleged that both Mack and Abulbashar were in the thick of the violence.
A number of Leeds fans were injured but left the scene as police arrived.
Mack was arrested at a nearby taxi rank after a short chase but told police he had gone to see who had thrown a missile at him after he left The Sussex to investigate what was causing the commotion outside.
Abulbashar was arrested at his home on November 4.
He claimed he was a passer-by and had not hit anyone.
The trial continues.
What is a 49 year old man doing in all of this? A hooligan from the first time round? Pathetic.
by Nigel Freedman
Tables and chairs were hurled through a pub window as rival fans clashed in a huge resurgence of football violence, a court heard.
The trouble erupted in The Lanes, Brighton, hours after Brighton and Hove Albion played Leeds United at Withdean stadium last season.
Christina Laing, prosecuting, described the incident - a throwback to the dark days of violence at grounds across England in the Seventies - as football hooliganism at its worst.
She said people were shocked and terrified as Brighton fans hurled missiles at Leeds supporters at The Pump House pub in Market Street.
Staff and customers cowered in a back room as advertising signs and chairs and tables from nearby restaurants were thrown through the windows.
Miss Laing told Hove Crown Court the Brighton fans even had their own photographer taking pictures of the incident.
The pictures were seized days later after they were taken into a shop in Brighton to be developed.
The court was told that they were later used along with footage from CCTV cameras to identify and arrest a large number of men.
Sami Abulbashar, 20, of Stonery Road, Portslade, and John Mack, 49, of Walmer Crescent, Brighton, deny violent disorder on October 23.
Miss Laing said: "A huge amount of damage was caused.
"Everyone who witnessed what happened was shocked and terrified at the level of violence."
Miss Lang said there was evidence the clash had been planned.
She said Brighton fans had been at The Sussex pub in nearby East Street and had left moments before the violence erupted.
Miss Laing said: "A group of 25 men faced the Pump House chanting: ëSeagulls, Seagulls and come on out if you want it.'
"Staff heard one of the Leeds fans say, ëthey are here' and they got up and pushed towards the door.
"Fighting began and stools were used to smash windows and other missiles were thrown at the pub."
Paul Sewell, the pub manager, said tables and chairs were raining through the broken window.
Barmaid Katrina Drake phoned the police but was so terrified she had an asthma attack and could not complete the call.
Her colleague Darren Nolan said in his statement: "I could hear screaming and windows being smashed.
"I went to the front of the pub and watched in disbelief."
Miss Laing alleged that both Mack and Abulbashar were in the thick of the violence.
A number of Leeds fans were injured but left the scene as police arrived.
Mack was arrested at a nearby taxi rank after a short chase but told police he had gone to see who had thrown a missile at him after he left The Sussex to investigate what was causing the commotion outside.
Abulbashar was arrested at his home on November 4.
He claimed he was a passer-by and had not hit anyone.
The trial continues.
What is a 49 year old man doing in all of this? A hooligan from the first time round? Pathetic.
