Fans jailed over play-off trouble

York City players had to be shepherded off the pitch by police as missiles were hurled at them by Hatters fans after the Town went down 1-0.

Outside the ground, the trouble continued, with a mob taking brooms, mops, pans and plants from outside a DIY store in Bury Park and throwing them at police.

Following the scenes, CCTV footage was released by the police to the media in the effort to track down the offenders, which led to four convictions.

Six men who pleaded guilty in January were handed sentences at Luton Crown Court on Friday.

Ryan Downey, 24, of Julius Gardens, Luton, was jailed for six months and banned from matches for six years.

Ashley McChesney, 20, of Buckfield Avenue, Dunstable, was sentenced to nine months in a young offenders institute plus a further two months for breach of a previous order, and given a six year banning order.

Stewart Farquharson, 45, of Grove Road, Luton, was sentenced to 9 months imprisonment and banned for six years.

Kieran Gavigan, 27, of Churchill Road, Leighton Buzzard, who was identified through the CCTV appeal, was jailed for seven months and banned from matches for six years.

Ben Butler, 20, of St Andrew’s Close, Flitwick, was given a 19 month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, ordered to do 250 hours of unpaid work and banned from matches for five years.

Jordan Shepherd, 27, of Green Farm Lane, Barrow, Suffolk, also identified through the CCTV, was given a five month sentence suspended for 18 months, ordered to do 250 hours of unpaid work and banned for five years.

Jamie Sales, 26, of Russet Way, Dunstable, was found guilty after a trial in August and on Friday was jailed for 12 months and banned from matches for six years. Michael Howe, 44, of Dellfield, St Albans, was also found guilty after trial and was jailed for 12 months and given a six-year ban.

A 17-year-old from Luton, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was sentenced to a 10-month referral order, costs and a three year ban after pleading guilty to affray last October

Another 17-year-old from Luton was made the subject of a supervision requirement and youth rehabilitation order after pleading guilty to affray, and was ordered to pay costs and carry out unpaid work together. He was also banned from games for three years.

Three other men are due to be sentenced on Wednesday.

Bedfordshire Police said a total of 37 people were arrested, with eight receiving cautions for affray and 15 teenagers receiving final warnings.

Superintendent David Boyle, based at Luton Police Station, said: “The game of football is a sport that families should be able to enjoy in safety.

“I hope the sentencing results show that we will use all methods available to them to bring anyone who breaks the law to justice.”