Footballer must pay compensation

A village football player has been ordered to pay £4,664 compensation to an opponent whose jaw he broke during pre-season friendly.

Matthew Tett, 23, of Turner's Close, Newton Poppleford in Devon, was also given a suspended prison sentence.

Tett pleaded guilty at Exeter Crown Court to causing grievous bodily harm to Kevin Pratt

The incident happened when Tett was playing for Otterton FC against Awliscombe FC in August last year.

Mr Pratt's jaw had to be wired shut in hospital.

Judge Paul Darlow told Tett: "As a result of what you did Mr Pratt suffered severe pain for six weeks.

"There must be a deterrent element in the sentence to say to others if you hit someone on the sports field this is what will happen to you."

The court was told that Tett was a man of good character and had received only two yellow cards in the eight years he had played for Otterton FC.

Tett's 36-week prison sentence was suspended for two years.