Shrewsbury football hooligan given 14-month prison sentence
The last of 30 men involved in a football-related brawl in Shrewsbury town centre was today given a 14-month prison sentence.
Jake Davies-King, aged 21, from Shrewsbury was sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court more than 16 months after the flare-up before Shrewsbury’s league fixture with Walsall in 2012.
Superintendent James Tozer, West Mercia Police’s Shropshire commander, welcomed the sentence and also the final closure on a long and complex police investigation.
He said today’s sentence again served as a warning that violent behaviour will not be tolerated and that the police are determined to trace and charge offenders.
Davies-King received an eight-month sentence for violent disorder and a further six months for assaulting a police constable in the execution of his duty. He was also given a six-year football banning order.
A total of eight men from Shropshire and the Walsall area have now been jailed for their parts in the violence.
The incident happened in Mardol and Smithfield Road around lunchtime on 14 October, 2012 before Shrewsbury Town’s League One local derby with Walsall. Three police officers were injured in quelling the violence – including one who suffered a broken leg.
Superintendent Tozer praised his officers for their perseverance during the long-running investigation.
“We had a small team of three officers dedicated to what was a prolonged and difficult inquiry. They were determined and committed, spending many hours scrutinising CCTV footage and working with West Midlands Police officers to identify the offenders.”
He said the case illustrated the commitment of West Mercia Police in bringing to justice those who resorted to violence, for whatever reason. The police worked very closely with partner agencies and in particular with Shrewsbury Town Football Club to prevent and reduce instances of football-related violence and disorder.
Supt. Tozer added: “Large-scale disorder is rare and this outbreak in Shrewsbury town centre was unusual in its scale. We plan thoroughly to prevent football violence and to keep football the safe family game it should be. I have always said that serious disorder will be met with strong measures.
“On this occasion, the prison sentences together with substantial banning orders, send a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.”
