Southend United fans found guilty over attack that left rival supporter with serious brain injuries

Simon Dobbin, now 45, was among a small group of Cambridge United fans who were assaulted in East Street, Southend, at 7.15pm on March 21, 2015.

A six week trial at Basildon Crown Court came to an end on Friday after jurors delivered unanimous verdicts on all but one defendant.

Eight men were found to have been directly involved in the violent disorder, while three were involved in a conspiracy. Ian Young was cleared of taking part in the conspiracy but found guilty of hiding one of the men in his bedroom.

Mr Dobbin was kicked and punched in the head and left unconscious after up to 24 men rushed out of the Railway Tavern in retaliation for an earlier incident at the Spread Eagle pub, in Victoria Avenue.

The court heard how Mr Dobbin attended the 0-0 draw at Roots Hall after drinking in the Blue Boar, designated for away fans. There had been trouble between supporters throughout the day at the Blue Boar, the Railway Tavern, designated for home fans, and the Spread Eagle, but none of them involved Mr Dobbin.

Text messages from defendant Thomas Randall suggested co-defendants Ryan Carter and Rhys Pullen had been “knocked out” in the Spread Eagle and Michael Shawyer was left “fuming”. Another message said: “Going to kick off big time after the game. We are going to ambush them.”

Throughout the afternoon, the men congregated in the Railway Tavern and could be seen on CCTV throwing mock punches. At about 5pm, police broke up another fight between two sets of rival supporters outside the pub.

When the game finished, Mr Dobbin and his friend left Roots Hall and returned to the Blue Boar to watch the England v France rugby match with fellow Cambridge fans.

Matthew Petchey and Phillip McGill walked in at about 6.35pm, followed by Greg Allen, Alexander Woods, James Woods, Jamie Chambers and Ryan Carter. At one point, someone shouted: “Any Cambridge in here?”

The group then left, except for McGill, who stayed behind and made frequent phone calls to other members of the group. By 7pm, most of the “risk” Cambridge fans had been placed onto coaches and had left Southend.

Mr Dobbin and about ten other supporters remained in the pub.

Feeling intimidated and “in danger” they then left the pub and started to walk towards Prittlewell station, followed by McGill, who shook hands with one of the Cambridge supporters.

Upon reaching the junction of East Street and Station Approach, the supporters accidentally split into two groups, with Mr Dobbin and some others going the wrong way over a bridge, where they were attacked.

James Woods, Scott Nicholls, Michael Shawyer and Rhys Pullen ran after the other group of Cambridge fans, before returning to the pub. CCTV footage showed them hugging each other and laughing.

Randall could be seen miming a kick. Mr Dobbin’s blood was later found on his jacket. Alexander Woods also had Mr Dobbin’s blood on his jacket. Ryan Carter had injuries to his knuckles.

Following the incident, police sealed off the area and took the names of everyone leaving the pub.

Pullen escaped over a fence. Ian Young, who was not involved in the violence, stayed inside the pub, where he lived in an upstairs flat. He allowed Lewis Courtnell to hide there.

He later sent a text to his girlfriend saying: "We smashed them."

The men were remanded in custody and will be sentenced on Monday.

Ryan Carter, 21, of York Road, Southend-  guilty of violent disorder

Jamie Chambers, 24, of Coleman Street, Southend- guilty of violent disorder

Lewis Courtnell, 33, of Stadium Road, Southend- guilty of violent disorder

Philip McGill, 32, of Hornby Avenue, Westcliff- not guilty of violent disorder, guilty of conspiracy

Scott Nicholls, 40, of Little Spenders, Basildon- guilty of violent disorder

Michael Shawyer, 31, of Belgrave Road, Leigh- not guilty of violent disorder, guilty of conspiracy by majority of 11-1

Greg Allen, 29, of Western Avenue, Westcliff- not guillty of violent disorder, guilty of conspiracy

Thomas Randall, 22, of Seaforth Avenue, Southend- guilty of violent disorder

Alexander Woods, 25, of Fairmead Avenue, Westcliff- guilty of violent disorder

James Woods, 25, of Fairmead Avenue, Westcliff- guilty of violent disorder

Matthew Petchey, 26, of Lascelles Gardens, Rochford- guilty of violent disorder

Ian Young, 41, of Brightwell Avenue, Westcliff- not guilty of conspiracy, guilty of assistiing an offender

Rhys Pullen, 21, of Bridge Road, Wickford, admitted violent disorder before the trial

'Dad is trapped in his body'

SIMON Dobbin's daughter has spoken of her devastation at the injuries inflicted on her father.

Emily, 18, said: “Everything my dad did, I was right there by his side. 
“I know how lucky I am to have a father that was more like my best friend. We were inseparable and he was my hero. 

“I am tortured everyday having to watch him be so frustrated and angry. 

“He cries at anything violent on TV and struggles to watch the football. I’ve never seen my dad cry before this. 

“I believe he is fully aware of his circumstances and I know that he is the same man I once knew as he laughs at old jokes and has the exact sense of humour as before. 

“He is trapped in his body and it’s so difficult to see. 

“I am never going to get my gentle giant of a dad back, my mum’s never going to get her loving husband back and our family won’t ever be fixed.”

Mr Dobbin’s wife Nicole said: “Although he is alive, Simon no longer has a life. And not only did those responsible destroy Simon’s life, but they took mine also. 

“Simon and I were inseparable. Now I will never hear my husband tell me he loves me again. Nor can he tell me not to worry and that everything is going to be okay. 

“I will never feel his arms around me yet I need this now more than ever. 

“I miss the old Simon so much, such a fun loving family man. 

“It destroys me knowing that one day I will wake up without my husband, whose life expectancy has now been reduced due to this one act of violence. 

“Without the courageous paramedics and policemen on scene, he would not be here today. Without them, this would have been a murder trial. 

“I’m just so thankful that I have the support of my parents, siblings and close friends. 

“This nightmare will never end for us.” 

Det Chief Insp Martin Passmore vowed the probe into who actually caused the injuries will continue.

He said: "My thoughts are very much with Mr Dobbin’s family, who have shown amazing courage and dignity throughout the investigation and trial. 

“It has taken my team two years of painstaking work to piece together the complex sequence of events surrounding this case and explain the movements and actions of 13 individuals in a manner that ensures that the jury can fully consider the evidence. 

“On March 21, 2015 the individuals convicted today acted together as a pack of animals. 

“Within minutes a thoroughly decent man was left with a devastating brain injury. 

“It was always my intention to identify and bring to justice the person or persons directly responsible for Mr Dobbin’s assault. 

“Sadly that was not to be. However that aspect of the case remains open and I appeal to anyone who has information to come forward either directly to my team or confidentially via Crimestoppers.”