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| Man jailed for punching referee | Man jailed for punching referee |
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| A father has been jailed for 18 months for a "wholly cowardly attack" on a 62-year-old referee after an under-14s football match was abandoned. | A father has been jailed for 18 months for a "wholly cowardly attack" on a 62-year-old referee after an under-14s football match was abandoned. |
| Richard Norman, 33, punched Clive Stewart, who had sent off four players, in the face and then ran away. | Richard Norman, 33, punched Clive Stewart, who had sent off four players, in the face and then ran away. |
| He had admitted unlawful wounding at an earlier hearing at Swansea Crown Court. | He had admitted unlawful wounding at an earlier hearing at Swansea Crown Court. |
| Recorder Paul Thomas QC told him he had set a "quite dreadful example" to the "impressionable teenagers" who were playing, including his own son. | Recorder Paul Thomas QC told him he had set a "quite dreadful example" to the "impressionable teenagers" who were playing, including his own son. |
| Mr Stewart was officiating in a game between Cwm Albion and Ynystawe at Cadle Mill playing fields in Blaenymaes in December last year. | Mr Stewart was officiating in a game between Cwm Albion and Ynystawe at Cadle Mill playing fields in Blaenymaes in December last year. |
| Prosecutor Janet Gedrych said when Cwm Albion went two goals down in the first half, their supporters became abusive towards the referee and their own players. | Prosecutor Janet Gedrych said when Cwm Albion went two goals down in the first half, their supporters became abusive towards the referee and their own players. |
| In the second half the team equalised, but when Ynystawe took the lead again, Mr Stewart was forced to abandon the match. | In the second half the team equalised, but when Ynystawe took the lead again, Mr Stewart was forced to abandon the match. |
| He had sent two players off during the game and another two after the final whistle went. | He had sent two players off during the game and another two after the final whistle went. |
| Norman, who the court was told had 90 previous convictions dating back over 20 years, followed Mr Stewart after the game. | Norman, who the court was told had 90 previous convictions dating back over 20 years, followed Mr Stewart after the game. |
| Ms Gedrych said he then punched him and ran away. | Ms Gedrych said he then punched him and ran away. |
| The referee needed 10 stitches to his face which was left bloodied and badly swollen. | The referee needed 10 stitches to his face which was left bloodied and badly swollen. |
| Ms Gedrych said Mr Stewart had been a referee for 23 years and "this was the worst thing that had happened to him." | Ms Gedrych said Mr Stewart had been a referee for 23 years and "this was the worst thing that had happened to him." |
| She added: "The behaviour of the defendant on that day made him seriously consider giving up. | She added: "The behaviour of the defendant on that day made him seriously consider giving up. |
| "It was only the outpouring of goodwill from the football community that made him determined to carry on." | "It was only the outpouring of goodwill from the football community that made him determined to carry on." |
| I think it serves as a lesson to parents and grandparents John Gow | I think it serves as a lesson to parents and grandparents John Gow |
| In mitigation the court was told Norman had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and had shown "genuine remorse." | In mitigation the court was told Norman had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and had shown "genuine remorse." |
| Sentencing him Mr Thomas said he would serve nine months in custody. | Sentencing him Mr Thomas said he would serve nine months in custody. |
| He said it was "wholly cowardly attack" on Mr Stewart. | He said it was "wholly cowardly attack" on Mr Stewart. |
| "He was giving up his own time so youngsters like your son could play organised football," he said. | "He was giving up his own time so youngsters like your son could play organised football," he said. |
| "Without people like him games of rugby and football could not take place." | "Without people like him games of rugby and football could not take place." |
| Speaking about the case John Gow, referees' officer for the west Wales Football Association, said in 50 years of refereeing he had never come across anything like it. | Speaking about the case John Gow, referees' officer for the west Wales Football Association, said in 50 years of refereeing he had never come across anything like it. |
| "I've come across referees being assaulted - by that I mean being pushed, shoved or verbally abused. | "I've come across referees being assaulted - by that I mean being pushed, shoved or verbally abused. |
| "But I've never come across a referee who has actually been struck by a spectator or for that matter a player and suffered those injuries. | "But I've never come across a referee who has actually been struck by a spectator or for that matter a player and suffered those injuries. |
| "What I can't understand and can't forgive is someone using fisticuffs to vent their anger. There is no place for that in football on the field or off the field. | |
| "I think it serves as a lesson to parents and grandparents that that sort of behaviour is not tolerated not only by the football authorities but by the courts." | "I think it serves as a lesson to parents and grandparents that that sort of behaviour is not tolerated not only by the football authorities but by the courts." |
| Mr Gow said Mr Stewart has been able to return to officiating. | Mr Gow said Mr Stewart has been able to return to officiating. |
| He said he hoped the attack would not put potential recruits off refereeing as there was a shortage of officials in the game. | He said he hoped the attack would not put potential recruits off refereeing as there was a shortage of officials in the game. |
| "It's not going to help," he added. "But this is a one off." | "It's not going to help," he added. "But this is a one off." |