Four jailed for World Cup violence

Fans had watched the match in a city centre bar

Four men have been jailed and a further person has been banned from attending football matches after violence in Stoke-on-Trent during the football World Cup.

District judge Graham Richards passed down the sentences at a special hearing at Fenton magistrates' court on Friday.

The violence occurred in Hanley city centre after fans had watched England defeat Denmark 3-0 on 15 June.

Three people had previously been convicted in connection with that violence and eight more are awaiting trial.

Games ban

The five sentenced on Friday were all aged between 20 and 28.

Craig Richards from Norton was given a four-month jail sentence and banned from all football matches for six years.

Craig Leach from Trentham received a three-month prison term and was banned from attending games for six years.

Benjamin Dooley and David Lightfoot, also from Trentham, were both sentenced to two-month jail terms and six-year banning orders.

Police pelted

Paul Beech of Abbey Hutton received a 180-hour community service order, was fined £150 costs and faces a five-year ban from football stadia.

The violence began in Yates Wine Lodge in Brockley Square when a group of fans pelted police with missiles.

The trouble spilled out into surrounding streets and 120 officers in riot gear were called in to quell the trouble.