Atherston Matters

[K-Man]

TWO men who played a part in the violence that marred 'the biggest game in Atherstone Town's history' have heard it is 'as close to inevitable if not certain' they will be jailed.

Corey Sweet and Richard Smith were among six men who have been on trial at Warwick Crown Court after pleading not guilty to a charge of violent disorder.


After deliberating for a total of 12 hours and 36 minutes at the end of the three-week trial, the jury convicted Sweet, aged 20, formerly of Minions Close, Atherstone, and Smith, aged 24, of Cherry Orchard Estate, Higham-on-Hill, by unanimous verdicts.

But the foreman said they had not reached verdicts in the cases of Kacey Sweet, aged 23, also of Minions Close, Paul Tyler, aged 30, of Lister Road, Kieron Marshall, aged 18, of Royal Meadow Drive, and Connor Rendchen, aged 22, of South Street, all Atherstone.

The jury had heard the incident happened in October 2013 as Atherstone played an FA Cup third round qualifying match at home against a much higher-ranked Barrow FC.

With Atherstone trailing 4-0 at half-time, a group of its fans made their way round the pitch to the stand housing 80 to 100 Barrow supporters, including children and elderly people.

A flare was thrown into the stand and, as more Atherstone fans ran across the pitch to join in, Barrow fans were attacked and at least nine injured.

Prosecutor Paul Spratt pointed out there was no dispute there was a violent disorder – because 12 men had admitted the charge at earlier hearings.

And there were a number of photographers at the match whose pictures captured the defendants at various stages.

Corey Sweet agreed he was wearing a blue hooded top and orange jeans, but denied the person wearing similar clothes in the Barrow stand with his fists clenched was him.

He claimed in court he had walked round the pitch at half-time to get to a bar behind the Barrow stand, but found his way blocked by a 'commotion' in a doorway to the stand.

He claimed he stayed and watched what was happening for two or three minutes, but denied becoming involved or lending his support to the violence.

Smith was photographed crossing the pitch to the Barrow stand with his fist clenched and then in the stand, but claimed he had only gone across out of curiosity to see what was happening.

But Mr Spratt commented: "You may conclude that following others across the ground, when those who had already gone have clearly demonstrated a willingness to engage in violence, demonstrates that they act with a common purpose.

"The defendants here today need not have gone across to the other side of the pitch at all; and even if they had, they need not have stayed there, and those that entered the Barrow stand need not have done so."

After the jury had returned its verdicts on Corey Sweet and Smith, at the requests of their barristers, Judge Andrew Lockhart QC agreed to order a pre-sentence report on them.

But he observed: "It seems to me as close to inevitable, if not certain, that these men will go to immediate custody."

Judge Lockhart agreed to give Corey Sweet and Smith bail, but stressed: "I don't want anyone to move away from this court thinking custody is anything other than virtually inevitable."

And he told them: "You have been convicted by this jury of the offence of violent disorder. Both of you know the gravity of the situation you now find yourself in.

"I am going to grant you the benefit of pre-sentence reports, but I have to tell you both it is vanishingly unlikely the outcome of this case will be anything other than a substantial custodial sentence.

"The overwhelming likelihood is that you will go to prison for a substantial period."

Corey Smith, now of Royal Meadow Drive, Atherstone, and Smith were both granted bail with conditions of residence at their home addresses – and the judge warned them that meant 'no summer holiday.'

The jury was told by Judge Lockhart that when they resume their deliberations in relation to the other four defendants, he would accept majority verdicts.

* After deliberating for a further four-and-a-quarter hours on Friday, the jury found Kacey Sweet, also now of Royal meadow Drive, Atherstone, guilty by a majority of 10-2.

But Rendchen, a former Atherstone player, who broke down in tears when his verdict was announced, and Tyler were both found not guilty.

The jury was still unable to return a verdict on Marshall and asked the judge to adjourn for them to continue considering his case on Monday – and Judge Lockhart agreed.

As with his brother, Kacey Sweet's case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared on him, and he was granted bail with the same condition of residence at his home address.

Judge Lockhart told him: "I do so, you being in the clear knowledge that it is vanishingly unlikely that anything other than a custodial sentence will be applied in your case.

The most serious offence is wearing orange jeans!

[paddy71]

The most serious offence is wearing orange jeans!

I,ve seen u in worse Ki dog x

[Holkerbird]

I am going to give evidence at court,is anybody going down by train?

Which court case are you attending? I am down for the September one and Chris is as well.

[Mark Johnson]

Is forgiveness not an option? You seem proud to announce that you are going to be getting on a train to send some men to prison. They made a bad decision or two but stop dressing yourselves up as the heroes in this narrative you are trying to play out. This is peoples lives.

[Kirks]

Is forgiveness not an option? You seem proud to announce that you are going to be getting on a train to send some men to prison. They made a bad decision or two but stop dressing yourselves up as the heroes in this narrative you are trying to play out. This is peoples lives.

Get off your high horse and give your head a wobble.
He's going to give evidence in a trial where himself and others were assaulted in an unprovoked attack, he's asking if anyone else is going by train.

[The Chief]

i am down for June to attend court I think it is.

As for hoping they go to jail, i do, very much so. wrong decisions or just outwardly anti social yobs is irrelevant, they knowingly attacked women, OAP's and children along with grown men like myself. i went to enjoy a ground i haven't had the chance to see before and ended up being pelted with flares and attacked because my team had the temerity to be 4-0 up, no sympathy for the path their lives take due to the consequences of that day whatsoever and if that means i am on a high horse so be it and i will continue to ride it all the way to leamington to testify too.

[Holkerbird]

Is forgiveness not an option? You seem proud to announce that you are going to be getting on a train to send some men to prison. They made a bad decision or two but stop dressing yourselves up as the heroes in this narrative you are trying to play out. This is peoples lives.

Check with Ste Story Mark Johnson, your account has been hacked by some no mark.

[Chris Benoit]

Is forgiveness not an option? You seem proud to announce that you are going to be getting on a train to send some men to prison. They made a bad decision or two but stop dressing yourselves up as the heroes in this narrative you are trying to play out. This is peoples lives.

Usually I'd praise this as an impeccable piece of trolling but you're way off the mark here. You can't just dismiss an attack on pensioners and children as a mistake.

[Wintergreen]

Life is all about decisions...and you usually reap what you sew.

[Holkerbird]

Perhaps if the one who was given a previous caution for battery had received a harsher sentence he might have got the message sooner regarding his future "decisions".

Seeing an elderly gentleman with breathing and walking difficulties with blood streaming down his face makes me determined the cowards will get their just desserts. If that offends some then I hope you never get called to jury service.

[Holkerbird]

Perhaps if the one who was given a previous caution for battery had received a harsher sentence he might have got the message sooner regarding his future "decisions".

Seeing an elderly gentleman with breathing and walking difficulties with blood streaming down his face makes me determined the cowards will get their just desserts. Add to that a young frail girl half dragged over a wall by a group of grown men whilst trying to hang onto her flag. If that offends some then I hope you never get called to jury service.

[jimboc90]

Frail ? Freya's a beast man muscles from brussels give over

[Barrow Bluebirds]

Is forgiveness not an option? You seem proud to announce that you are going to be getting on a train to send some men to prison. They made a bad decision or two but stop dressing yourselves up as the heroes in this narrative you are trying to play out. This is peoples lives.

Moron,I take it you were not there,I was only asking if anybody was going by train.Forgiveness for so called people who hit a 68 year old man,a woman and a 13 year old lad,**** them,they will get what they deserve.

[Steelworks End]

Seeing an elderly gentleman with breathing and walking difficulties with blood streaming down his face makes me determined the cowards will get their just desserts. Add to that a young frail girl half dragged over a wall by a group of grown men whilst trying to hang onto her flag.

What some people seem to have forgotten, this wasn't yobs against yobs, which would have been bad enough.

It was an unprovoked attack on the vulnerable, as Elaine has explained. If this had happened in the street, the guilty ones would have faced a stiff sentence. Those involved in the disorder at Atherstone deserve what they get, and if that means a lengthy stay at Her Majesty's pleasure, so be it. They only have themselves to blame.

[Wintergreen]

Evening Mail headline 2/6/15 "Accused Barrow AFC fans discover final verdict in pitch disorder case"

Shome mishtake shorely?

http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/accused-b ... -1.1215971