Archive

English Defence League

Man, 43, punched victim in face after row over state of dog.

By
January 5, 2014
assault, EDL, English Defence League, Jailed, Uncategorized

A 43-YEAR-OLD assaulted a man in his own home following a row over a dog, a court heard.

Anthony Forrester, aged 43, of St Luke’s Court, Hanley, was handed a 10-month sentence for assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Yesterday Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court was told Forrester, who has 28 previous convictions, hit Roger Rixon on May 12 leaving the victim needing hospital treatment.

After initially pleading not guilty to the charge, Forrester reversed his plea ahead of a court trial.

Fiona Cortese, prosecuting, said: “At about 7.30pm Mr Rixon had drank three litres of cider and the defendant was in the living room.

“During the argument the defendant punched him and then left the house.

“He was arrested on May 14 and said Mr Rixon was shouting at him. He said he had drank two cans of cider and regretted his actions and denied stepping on him.”

Although Mr Rixon claimed he had suffered a broken nose during the assault there was no medical evidence to back up his claim.

A statement by Forrester read out in court stated: “Mr Rixon and I argued and I punched him in the face and he grabbed my leg, so I kicked out.

“I don’t accept that I stamped on him and I deny I broke his nose.”

Hamish Noble, defending, said: “It was an argument over a dog and the condition the dog was in.

“He knows what he did was wrong and that he shouldn’t have done it.

“The defendant left a special school with no qualifications and moved on to drink and drugs.

“He now has settled accommodation in Hanley and lives there with his son.”

Judge Granville Styler said: “This was an unpleasant attack.

“If you continue with gratuitous violence you’ll get longer and longer prison sentences.”

Stoke Sentinel

Man’s nose broken in doorstep attack

By
January 5, 2014
EDL, English Defence League, Jailed, Uncategorized

DRUNKEN Anthony Forrester broke a deaf man’s nose in an unprovoked attack outside his home.

Philip Cotterill, who is profoundly deaf, was at home with him mum in Lower Bethesda Street, Hanley, at 9.30pm on November 8 last year when he felt a slight vibration.

He went to investigate and noticed eggs had been thrown at his window. He went outside, but could not see anyone.

He asked a neighbour to call the police and as he returned to his house he saw the defendant approach from an alleyway at the side of his house.

Prosecutor Philip Beardwell told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday that Mr Cotterill saw Forrester urinate outside the fire station before he walked towards him.

“Mr Cotterill closed his gate. The defendant’s body language was aggressive. Mr Cotterill asked him to go away repeatedly.

“The defendant ignored the request and then hit him directly to his nose with a clenched fist.

“The defendant then grabbed a brick pillar causing it to fall down. He picked up a brick. Mr Cotterill turned to go in his house when he felt a hard blow to the back of his head.

“He ran inside and closed the door behind him.”

The court heard police officers saw the tail end of the incident and witnessed Forrester throwing bricks.

Mr Cotterill was left with a broken nose and a small cut to the back of his head, which needed one stitch.

In his victim statement he said the attack had left him more vulnerable, nervous and depressed.

His sleep pattern had been affected, as had his daily life. He added that he had to have his nose corrected.

Forrester, aged 41, of Furnival Street, Cobridge, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage.

Nicola Bell, defending, conceded it was a “dreadful” offence and a custodial sentence was inevitable.

She said Forrester, who has battled a heroin problem for most of his adult life, had no previous convictions for violence.

She said he was remorseful and apologised to Mr Cotterill and his mother.

“He was heavily in drink and had also taken diazepam. He has very little recollection of what occurred.

“He is not a violent man.”

Jailing Forrester for 20 months, Judge Paul Glenn said: “This was an unpleasant and totally unprovoked assault on an innocent man. He was deaf. There is no evidence you knew that, nor that you were responsible for the damage caused to his house which brought him out in the first place.

“While he was looking at the damage on the windows you came across the road. You punched him and hit him so hard you broke his nose.

“Not content with that, you pulled away part of a brick pillar. As he tried to flee you threw a brick at him.

“This has had a significant effect on Mr Cotterill.

“The offence is so serious only custody is appropriate.”

Stoke Sentinel

EDL march clashes see man jailed for almost three years

By
January 4, 2014
EDL, English Defence League, Jailed, Uncategorized

Kirk Jones was among 32 men handed immediate or suspended prison sentences for violent disorder.

Kirk Jones, jailed for EDL violence

Kirk Jones, jailed for EDL violence

A Hinckley EDL protestor involved in a drunken hate-fuelled melee has been jailed for almost three years.

Kirk Jones, 28, was among 32 men handed immediate or suspended prison sentences for violent disorder over ferocious clashes with and police.

Trouble flared at a rally in Walsall town centre in September 2012 when 600 EDL followers confronted 200 members of the Unite Against Fascism movement who were holding a counter demonstration.

Missiles including concrete slabs and bricks were thrown at police who tried to restore order. A number of officers and EDL stewards were injured.

The sentences, all handed down at Wolverhampton Crown Court, were welcomed by the police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Robin Allen said: “Fuelled by hate and alcohol, a section of the group, instigated by key figures within the demonstration, began to direct their anger towards the counter demonstration.

“Police officers were then exposed to some of the worst violence they have been subjected to in a public order situation.

“Concrete slabs, bricks and a table leg were among the items used as weapons and thrown at the officers.”

The riot involved children as young as 16. One of the youngest, teenager Samuel Phipps, was just 17 at the time, while West Midlands Police said a 16-year-old was also involved.

Jones was sentenced to 33 months while Richard Schulz, 38, of Farnborough, Hampshire, received the longest sentence, of 45 months, and John Cureton, 48, of Rollaston Road, Coventry, was jailed for three years.

Stephen Currien, 30, of Watton Close, Bilston, got 28 months and Mark Conroy, 36, of The Worthings, Stirchley, received 30 months.

Chief Supt Dave Sturman, commander of Walsall Police, said: “These court proceedings should send a clear message to those who are intent on coming to the West Midlands to cause trouble. We will not tolerate such behaviour.

“People who commit public order offences such as these should not rest easy as, no matter how long it takes, we will find you.”

Hinkley Times

EDL supporters sentenced to 60 years for Walsall disorder

By
December 19, 2013
EDL, English Defence League, Jailed, Uncategorized

31 men from across the country, aged between 18 and 59, have been given sentences totalling 60 years and eight months for their part in the 2012 disorder which broke out in Walsall following an English Defence League demonstration.

Over 600 supporters of the EDL held a demonstration in the town centre on 29 September last year. A counter demonstration was also held nearby by the Unite Against Fascism group. Police officers had to keep the two groups apart.

A number of officers and EDL stewards were injured when the atmosphere turned hostile and supporters of the EDL threw missiles at the police.

The following men have been sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court for their part in the disorder:

Douglas Ralston (53) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 20 months

Darren Davies (49) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 22 months

Neil MacDiarmid (50) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 15 months

Alan Turnbull (32) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 26 months

Stephen Currien (30) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 28 months

Lee Rogers (26) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 24 months

Gary Lycett (55) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 26 months

Jack Lambert (25) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 14 months

Michael Thomas (49) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 28 months

Jack Clark (22) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 16 months

Christopher Boyall (31) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 24 months

Benjamin Banfield (35) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 20 months

Mark Baker (44) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 21 months

Dean Lidster (44) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 28 months

Craig Forward (38) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 25 months

Stephen Bennett (23) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 20 months

Christopher Jelley (28) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 22 months

Myles Smith (39) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 24 months

Nicholas Cooper (28) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 27 months

Peter Kirkham (30) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 14 months

Mark Conroy (35) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 30 months

Kirk Reeves (40) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 18 months

Richard Schulz (38) – found guilty after trial to violent disorder and sentenced to 42 months

Dean Smith (33) – found guilty after trial to violent disorder and sentenced to 27 months

John Cureton (48) – found guilty after trial to violent disorder and sentenced to 36 months

Kirk Jones (28) – found guilty after trial to violent disorder and sentenced to 33 months

Ronald Hatton (59) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 20 months, suspended for two years and 200 hours unpaid work.

Leslie Silk (37) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 18 months, suspended for two years with 200 hours unpaid work.

Samuel Phipps (18) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 16 months, suspended for two years, 200 hours unpaid work.

Duncan Smith (43) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 20 months, suspended for two years, 200 hours unpaid work.

Lee Coxshall (aged 34) – pleaded guilty to violent disorder and sentenced to 14 months, suspended for two years and ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work

On 29 September, the English Defence League had arranged for their supporters from around the country to assemble in Walsall for a demonstration. It is the right of anyone to hold a peaceful assembly and Article 10 of the European Commission for Human Rights provides the right for freedom of expression; however, on that day, the supporters of the EDL went far beyond freedom of expression or a peaceful assembly.

Fuelled by hate and alcohol, a section of the group, instigated by key figures within the demonstration, began to direct their anger towards the counter demonstration. As police then sought to contain the group, supporters of the EDL began throwing missiles.

Police officers were then exposed to some of the worst violence that they have been subjected to in a public order situation. Concrete slabs, bricks and a table leg were among some of the various items which were used as weapons and thrown at the officers.

Those engaged in such reprehensible conduct paid little regard to what they were doing or who they were attacking, as during their orgy of violence, a number of their own EDL stewards, as well as police officers, were seriously injured.

A year on from those violent scenes those responsible for their actions that day have been arrested, brought to justice and now they have to face the consequences for their actions.

– Robin Allen, Senior Crown Prosecutor from West Midlands Crown Prosecution Service

ITV News

Lonely This Christmas

By
December 19, 2013
assault, criminal damage, EDL, English Defence League, Jailed, murder, Racial Conviction, threatening behaviour, Uncategorized, violent disorder

I’ve put together a list of all the various members and supporters of the English Defence League, Scottish Defence League and The Infidels who will be spending Christmas Day in a cell somewhere.

It doesn’t include Mark Sleman who is on the run after been recalled to prison, people who been sent to prison and done their time this year or those on remand.

I’ve no doubt that some have been missed but even as it is, over 50 members of a “not racist and not violent” organisation are in prison for racist and violent crimes.

The text in bold links to the news article about the jailing.

Walsall Demo
Douglas Ralston 20 months
Darren Davies 22 months
Neil MacDiarmid 15 months
Alan Turnbull 26 months
Stephen Currien 28 months
Lee Rogers 24 months
Gary Lycett 26 months
Jack Lambert 14 months
Michael Thomas 28 months
Jack Clark 16 months
Christopher Boyall 24 months
Benjamin Banfield 20 months
Mark Baker 21 months
Dean Lidster 28 months
Craig Forward 25 months
Stephen Bennett 20 months
Christopher Jelley 22 months
Myles Smith 24 months
Nicholas Cooper 27 months
Peter Kirkham 14 months
Mark Conroy 30 months
Kirk Reeves 18 months
Richard Schulz 42 months
Dean Smith 27 months
John Cureton 36 months
Kirk Jones 33 months

Football hooliganism.
Ashley Evans 3 years

War Memorial Damage
Daniel Smith 12 weeks

Gloucester Mosque Arson.
Clive Michael Ceronne 4 years 6 months
Ashley Henry Juggins 3 years 6 months

Burnley Racist Attack.
Wayne Lord six months
Declan Clayton eight months

Edinburgh Mosque Attack
Wayne Stilwell 10 months

Attempted Robbery.
Guramit Singh Kalirai 6 years 6 months + 9 months for a bail breach

GBH
Shaun Havelin 2 years 6 months

Liverpool Anti-Fash Attack
Nathan Smith 15 months.
Liam Pinkham 17 months
Michael Kearns 14 months
Matthew Coates 10 months
Peter Hawley 13 months
Shane Calvert 14 months
Stephen Dumont 5 months + 4 months

Burglary
Clint Bristow (not sure of the sentence)

Criminal Damage
Tobias Ruth 2 years 9 months

Wounding.
Joseph Guite 30 months

Violent Disorder and other crimes
Marcus Ward 11 years

Mosque Attack
Geoffrey Ryan 9 months

Knife Attack
David Morris 6 years

Drugs and Firearms
Paul Duffy 5 years

Mosque Threats
John Parkin 18 months

Assault and Other Crimes
Daniel Smith 9 years

Murder
Cameron Schofield 11 years.

Assault
Lee Preston 18 months

Robbery
Aaron Muxlow 33 months

Robbery and Assault
Daniel Grant Jailed Indefinitely (4 years)

Stoke Mosque Arson
Simon Beech 10 years
Garreth Foster 10 years

Happy Xmas or whatever you celebrate.

Day of reckoning for yobs in Walsall EDL violence

By
December 18, 2013
EDL, English Defence League, Jailed, Suspended sentence

The day of reckoning came for nine more yobs who took part in an English Defence League protest in Walsall town centre that escalated into violence.

Eight men were jailed by a judge yesterday, while an 18-year-old who was a youth at the time was spared an immediate prison term.

It follows prison sentences on Monday for seven men who took part in the same protest. More thugs were being sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court today.

Yesterday, the court heard how Dean Lidster kicked out at a police dog. He was among others who broke up a wooden table outside the Wetherspoon’s pub in the town and picked up pieces of a ceramic pot. The 44-year-old of London hurled the pieces over the police line. He was put behind bars for 28 months.

Mark Conway spat at police officers and launched a fly kick. He initially denied his involvement but changed his plea ahead of trial. The 35-year-old, of no fixed address, was jailed for 30 months. Thomas Schofield, defending, said he had seen trying to pacify the situation.

“He has not been involved in a disorder of this kind before. There is genuine remorse from this defendant,” he said.

Christopher Jelley, of Broadway Close, Shrewsbury, who served in the Army, was seen trying to square up to a female officer. He had gestured using his finger across the throat. Judge Nicholas Webb gave him to 22 months.

Benjamin Banfield, 35, of Cobhorn Drive, Bristol, squared up to officers and was kicking out and spitting. He threw missiles and was shouting. Banfield was handed a 20-month term.

Samuel Phipps, 18, of Lingfield Drive, Great Wyrley, avoided an immediate 16 months detention as it was suspended for two years. He was ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work.

Patrick Currie, defending, said the teenager was 17 at the time of the offence. The former Army Cadet had dreams of serving as a soldier before a severe knee injury. He has since gone on to an engineering course at the University of Wolverhampton. Mr Patrick Currie, defending, said: “This was a young man who behaved totally out of character.”

Judge Webb, accepting Phipps had been influenced towards the EDL by someone else, said: “ You have been very, very lucky you have escaped custody by the skin of your teeth.”

They all admitted their involvement and offences of violent disorder. Four more men who were convicted of violent disorder following a trial were also sentenced.

They included Dean Smith, of Brunswick Park Road, Wednesbury, who was said to be at the ‘forefront’ of the action although he didn’t throw or chant anything. He received 27 months.

Express & Star

Judge slams ‘mob violence’ as seven jailed over Walsall EDL demonstration

By
December 17, 2013
EDL, English Defence League, Jailed, violent disorder

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard trouble flared between the 600 EDL supporters and 200 members of the United Against Racism movement

A judge has slammed “mob violence” as he jailed seven men who took part in an English Defence League demonstration in Walsall.

They were the first of 32 people appearing for sentence after violent disorder hit the town centre last September, leaving police officers and demonstrators injured.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard trouble flared between the 600 EDL supporters and 200 members of the United Against Racism movement, who were holding a counter demonstration.

Mr David Bennett, prosecuting, said police saw pages from the Koran being burnt along with a Pakistan flag while there were also abusive and racists chants from EDL supporters.

Placards were also being carried, with one reading “Our Walsall will not be part of Pakistan,” he said.

During the trouble a young Asian UAR member also made an ‘inflammatory gesture’ and EDL members surged towards police bidding to keep the protesters apart, the court was told.

The far-right group’s supporters pushed, punched and kicked out at officers who faced missiles including bricks, bottles, coins and wood broken from street furniture and tables in a nearby pub.

Judge Nicholas Webb said the violence lasted about an hour and it was fortunate no serious injuries were inflicted, with police largely protected by their riot shields.

All 32 men were charged after police scoured over 400 hours of CCTV footage of the trouble, which saw a small number of protesters and police officers sustaining minor cuts and bruises.

The seven men jailed all pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Craig Forward, 38, of Neptune Street, Tipton, received 25 months; Myles Smith, 39, of Parkway Towers, Seacroft, Leeds, received 24 months; Mark Baker, 44 of Horseshoe Close, Pleck, Walsall was sent to prison for 21 months; Stephen Bennett, 23, of Milton Street, Palfrey, Walsall got 20 months; Kirk Reeves, 40, of Colliery Road, Swadlincote, received 18 months; Leslie Silk, 37, of Gatcombe Road, Bristol, was jailed for 15 months; and 30-year-old Peter Kirkham, of New Rowley Road, Dudley was jailed for 14 months.

The judge was told none of the seven men were involved in fighting with police officers, but they were threatening and aggressive.

The other 25 men will be sentenced tomorrow and later this week.

Birmingham Mail

Dad launched vicious racist attack

By
December 16, 2013
assault, EDL, English Defence League, Racial Conviction, racially aggravated assault, Suspended sentence

A father-of-three has been spared jail after assaulting a man and his teenage son with a paving slab as they walked to their mosque.

Shaun Wilkinson, 25, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated assault after unleashing a barrage of vile racist abuse at the men as they walked down Thompson Street, Preston.

Preston Crown Court heard Wilkinson, of Slaidburn Road, Ribbleton, saw the father and his 14-year-old son approaching and said “watch this” to his girlfriend. As they walked past, Wilkinson punched the father in his face.

The son stepped in to try and help his father, grappling Wilkinson to the ground. However, Wilkinson got up and threw a piece of paving stone, hitting the youngster in the forehead.

Rachel Faux, prosecuting, told the court: “(The father) asked what the problem was and received a barrage of verbal abuse.

“As the father waited for the police to be called there was further abuse from females on the street.”

The police arrived and arrested Wilkinson he continued making racist comments.

During the attack the father’s diabetes flared up and he was taken to hospital with his son.

In a victim impact statement, he said: “The incident has affected me and my son and all our family very badly.

“Before this incident I always used to walk to mosque by walking the same way but now I go to mosque by car.”

Daniel Prowse, defending Wilkinson, said: “This was an extremely ugly incident of gratuitous violence and racist language – something Shaun Wilkinson finds it difficult to comprehend he would even do.”

Shaun Wilkinson - EDL

Shaun Wilkinson – EDL. Courtesy of Islamophobiawatch.co.uk

He said Wilkinson worked with a number of Asian people and felt a sense of “deep shame” about his behaviour.

Wilkinson has a criminal record but Mr Prowse said he has tried very hard to put the past behind him and had stayed out of trouble for four years before the attack.

Wilkinson was handed a 14 month sentence suspended for 18 months with a curfew between 9pm and 8am for six months.

He must also carry out 250 hours of unpaid work and pay his victims £500 compensation each.

Lancashire Evening Post

32 in court to be sentenced over Walsall EDL violence

By
December 16, 2013
affray, criminal damage, Demo, EDL, English Defence League, Public order offence, threatening behaviour
EDL protest in Walsall

EDL protest in Walsall

Thirty two men will appear in court this week to be sentenced after violence erupted at an English Defence League demonstration in Walsall last year.

Over a period of four days the defendants will all appear at Wolverhampton Crown Court for their final hearing, after being convicted of violent disorder earlier this year.

The men were arrested and charged following an investigation by West Midlands Police Force CID following violence in Walsall town centre on September 29, 2012.

A series of operations were staged across the country to arrest people suspected of involvement in the disorder, which broke out when members of the protest group tried to break through police lines.

A further 17 men have already appeared before magistrates where they have been sentenced for crimes ranging from public order offences to criminal damage.

Det Chief Insp Pete Dunn, who led the police investigation into the disorder, said: “The majority of the people who visited Walsall to protest that day were law-abiding.

“However a small number of people decided to get involved in a few ugly scenes when protestors began to try and break through police lines and throw missiles.

edl-in-walsall-protests-by-the-english-defence-league

“Thirty people were arrested at the time, and we continued to arrest people from as far and wide as Dorset and County Durham over the weeks and months that followed.

“This week sees the culmination of a detailed, painstaking investigation by a dedicated team of officers who were determined to bring those people to justice.

“We recovered many hours of CCTV, mobile phone and police footage which led to more than 450 hours of detective work to identify those responsible for bringing violence to the streets of Walsall.

“These court proceedings underline the fact that we will pursue people who commit crime in the West Midlands, no matter how long it takes, and bring them to justice.”

Chief Supt Dave Sturman, commander for Walsall and in charge of the operation on the day, added: “We recognise that the people of Walsall were both concerned and inconvenienced on the day and we hope that residents are reassured by our continuing efforts to bring those involved in disorder in the town to justice.

“The message to people intent on bringing violence to the streets of the West Midlands when attending such events is clear – we will not tolerate disorder or any form of anti social behaviour.

“The force takes a hard line against anyone who comes to the West Midlands and creates disorder, whether it be in the name of an organisation or just for devilment.

“If you commit such crimes we will track you down and ultimately you will be brought before the courts.”

Despite violence breaking out at the EDL demonstration, only a small number of protesters and police officers sustained minor cuts and bruises.

There were no serious injuries.

All 32 men will appear before Wolverhampton Crown Court to be sentenced between Monday, December 16-Thursday, December 19.

Birmingham Mail

Walsall EDL demo convictions

More EDL demo Walsall convictions.

Yet more…

UK Four jailed for floodlight plot

By
December 14, 2013
EDL, English Defence League, Jailed

Four men have been sentenced to between 18 months and four years in prison for fixing English Premiership football matches by sabotaging the floodlights.

The four, who were part of an Asian betting scam, were sentenced at Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court.

Chee Kew Ong, 49, was jailed for four years, and electrical expert Eng Hwa Lim, 35, another Malaysian, for four years. Roger Firth, 49, a security guard at Charlton’s ground, The Valley, in south-east London, received 18 months. All had admitted conspiracy to cause a public nuisance.

Firth was paid £20,000 to let the Malaysians into the ground, but became the key prosecution witness during last week’s trial of Wai Yuen Liu, 38, who received 30 months. Liu had always protested his innocence.

Firth’s defence lawyer, Karen Todner, said after the hearing: “Mr Firth has asked me to express his deep apologies to all those involved in football for his part in this case.

“His apologies especially extend to those supporters, staff and directors of Charlton Athletic Football Club.”

‘Offence and annoyance’

Judge Fabyan Evans told the men: “People who live within the jurisdiction of this court derive much pleasure from following professional sport.

“Any interference by criminal organisations causes great offence and annoyance to the general public.”

Referring to Lim and Ong, he said: “You were partners in a highly professional, technical criminal operation for which no doubt you were both going to be paid a substantial financial reward, regardless of whether that device was used or not.”

He said Liu’s role in the plot remained a “slight mystery” after he drove the two Malaysians to the ground on 10 February this year, when they were all arrested.

“There is no evidence to indicate that you were more than a henchman who was prepared to assist, no doubt for substantial reward,” the judge said.

Turning to Firth, he said: “You couldn’t resist the temptation of the £20,000 that was offered. You betrayed the trust of the club who had employed you for four years, you tried to involve another employee. You received nothing and threw away a great deal.”

The Malaysians will be deported after they have completed their jail terms.

The syndicate was behind attempts to fix two other matches, the first at a West Ham and Crystal Palace game at Upton Park, and the second at Selhurst Park, where Wimbledon were playing Arsenal.

In both matches the lights failed when the scores were level.

Remote-controlled device

The scam was discovered when two Malaysians and Liu were caught with a “circuit-breaker”.

They had planned to plant the electrical device to sabotage the floodlighting. It was to be triggered with a remote control unit when the score favoured the syndicate during a fixture at the Valley against Liverpool on 13 February.

Ong had boasted of sabotaging two previous Premiership games, and police later found enough electrical equipment to stall another eight matches.

It also emerged in court that Liu was a convicted fraudster with links to the Triad underworld.

BBC News

roger firth copy