Three Year Ban For Pondlife

Last updated : 09 October 2008 By Stray Shots Team

The Aldershot News has reported that William Mitchell who was among 20 Aldershot thugs on a rowdy post-match train from Cambridge to London, has been spared jail after a court let him walk "free" after disgraceful behaviour.

The 18-year-old thug swung on the luggage rail to land a flying kick on lacrosse team captain James Gillman-Wells.

Mr Gillman-Wells and team-mate Primal Fernando bravely tried to shield members of their party from the drunken yobs as Mitchell and an older accomplice piled in with kicks and punches.

It was said at Southwark Crown Court on Friday lthat the trouble began when the Aldershot fans, who had been to a match in Cambridge, started banging on the walls, stamping and chanting: "We are hooligans!" and "Who are you?"

Mitchell and accomplice Roy Nixon then turned on the peaceful lacrosse players, all aged in their early 20s, who were on their way back from a contest against Cambridge University on the 6.15pm train to King's Cross.

Just minutes into their journey they were targeted by the football thugs.

Mitchell, who had drunk several pints, yelled abuse at American Greg Ewert, a guest player for the university, prompting captain Mr Gillman-Wells to step in to defend him.

Mitchell, of Macdonald Road, Upper Hale, then grabbed the lacrosse star by the throat and shoved him back on a seat.

Mr Gillman-Wells got to his feet and was joined by Mr Fernando, when they saw Nixon approaching.

They believed he was coming to calm Mitchell down, but to their dismay he barked "Paki" at Mr Fernando and "Yank" at Mr Ewert.

Both turned their backs to take the force of a sustained assault by Mitchell and Nixon. The court heard they believed other fans joined in the attack.

Meanwhile, they ushered several other team-mates along the aisle to safety.

The beating eventually subsided and the lacrosse players moved to another carriage to call the police.

British Transport Police officers were waiting at King's Cross station and the grazed and bruised victims were able to point out Mitchell and Nixon as they came along the platform.

For the full article click on the link below:
www.gethampshire.co.uk/news/s/2036958_threeyear_match_ban_for_football_yob