Men get football ban after street fights

It followed a Torquay/Exeter friendly last year

Twelve men have been convicted and banned from football matches after  a pre-season friendly match between Torquay United and Exeter City last year ended in a punch-up.

The court hearings have been running since March 2023 at Newton Abbot Magistrates’ Court and Exeter Magistrates’ Court, with the final defendant sentenced on Friday 27 October.

The individuals were seen on CCTV in Torquay town centre fighting and provoking one another in the street. They were each convicted of public order offences and sentenced to the following:

Gavin Weeks, 32 of Newton Abbot, was sentenced to a 12-month community order, 200 hours unpaid work, £199 court costs, and a handed a Football Banning Order for four years.

Kieran Phillips, 25 of Exeter received a 12-month community order, 150 hours unpaid work, £199 court costs, and a handed a Football Banning Order for four years.

Charlie Edwards, 23 of Torquay, was sentenced to a 12-month community order, 180 hours unpaid work, £199 court costs, and handed a Football Banning Order for four years.

Jude Davis, 20 of Torquay, received a 12-month community order, 150 hours unpaid work, £199 court costs, and handed a Football Banning Order for four years.

Daniel White, 21 of Torquay, was sentenced to a 12-month community order, 150 hours unpaid work, £199 court costs, and handed a Football Banning Order for three years.

Jack White, 20 of Torquay received a 12-month community order, 150 hours unpaid work, £300 fine, £205 court costs, and handed a Football Banning Order for four years.

Bradley Scholes, 21 of Paignton, was sentenced to a 12-month community order, 180 hours unpaid work, £199 court costs, and handed a Football Banning Order for four years.

Kieran Hughes, 23 of Paignton received a 12-month community order, 150 hours unpaid work, £199 court costs, and handed a Football Banning Order for four years.

Danny Osborne, 30 of Exeter, was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and given a Football Banning Order for three years.

James Finch, 29 of Torquay, was sentenced to a 12-month community order, 200 hours unpaid work, £199 court costs, and handed a Football Banning Order for four years.

Mark Thompson, 35 of Torquay, was fined £400, £935 court costs, and was handed a Football Banning Order for three years.

Oliver Symons, 24 of Crediton, was sentenced to a 12-month community order, 120 hours unpaid work, £889 court costs, and handed a Football Banning Order for three years.

The banning orders will prevent them from attending any regulated match in the UK for the duration of the order or travelling to locations where their club is playing on match days.  They will also be required to surrender their passports when England are scheduled to play matches overseas.

PC Bruce from the Devon & Cornwall Police Sporting Events Department said: “We welcome the decision by the courts in all of these cases.  We are committed to working with all our football clubs and sports teams to ensure supporters can attend such events without fear for their safety.  

“It is important to recognise that the irresponsible actions of these men should not overshadow the good behaviour of the overwhelming majority of supporters who contribute to a terrific atmosphere both inside and outside our stadiums.”