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Newcastle United horse punch fan Barry Rogerson jailed | Newcastle United horse punch fan Barry Rogerson jailed |
(35 minutes later) | |
A Newcastle United fan who punched a police horse when trouble flared following his side's defeat to Sunderland has been jailed for a year. | |
Barry Rogerson, 45, from Bedlington, Northumberland, squared up to Bud, from West Yorkshire's mounted section, while wearing a scarf over his face. | Barry Rogerson, 45, from Bedlington, Northumberland, squared up to Bud, from West Yorkshire's mounted section, while wearing a scarf over his face. |
Almost 100 Newcastle fans were charged following clashes with police after the game at St James' Park. | Almost 100 Newcastle fans were charged following clashes with police after the game at St James' Park. |
Rogerson pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court to violent disorder. | Rogerson pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court to violent disorder. |
He was also given a six-year football banning order. | He was also given a six-year football banning order. |
'Risk of injury' | 'Risk of injury' |
Judge Paul Sloan QC, said Rogerson had "had plenty of opportunities to move away [from the horse]". | |
He added: "You stood your ground and attacked the horse by punching it in the head. | He added: "You stood your ground and attacked the horse by punching it in the head. |
"There was a risk of serious injury, the officer could easily have been thrown from the horse and could have sustained serious injury." | "There was a risk of serious injury, the officer could easily have been thrown from the horse and could have sustained serious injury." |
Rogerson previously told the BBC he was "not a thug" and was wearing a scarf across his face to stop the cold wind getting into his mouth after a "filling had dropped out". | |
Ch Supt Gary Calvert said: "The images of Rogerson's behaviour were seen right across the country and further afield through the media and internet coverage of the disorder. | |
"His behaviour is clearly unacceptable and he was widely condemned by law abiding and right thinking members of the public for his actions. | |
"In particular, with the next derby just days away, I'm keen to stress that this demonstrates tough action will be taken against anyone involved in such behaviour." | |
The horse was not hurt in the attack in April. | The horse was not hurt in the attack in April. |