TWO football fans have been jailed for a total of three years and banned from football for 16 years for their part in a huge brawl.

West Ham supporters Christopher Love, 28, of Virginia Close, Benfleet, and Mark Gittins, 43 of Chesham Drive, Basildon, admitted violent disorder over the incident outside a pub in Islington.

The fight broke out shortly after 7pm outside the White Swan between groups of Arsenal and West Ham fans following the east London side’s 2-0 away victory in August 2015.

Missiles and objects including bottles, tables, chairs and street furniture were all thrown during the incident between the two sets of fans.

Police were called and the crowd dispersed, but no arrests were made at the time.

However, officers subsequently examined CCTV footage of the incident and identified and arrested a number of men suspected of being involved.

Twelve men were charged with violent disorder, resulting in nine convictions.

Three men were found not guilty following a two-week trial in December 2016 at Blackfriars Crown Court.

Detective Chief Inspector John Oldham, from the Met’s Public Order Crime team, said: "This group of men were involved in serious fighting and violent disorder outside a pub; behaviour that, quite simply, is totally and utterly unacceptable.

“Through our investigations, we have identified a large number of those responsible and they are now facing the very serious consequences of their actions.

"Those involved in the worst of the disorder are now facing lengthy custodial sentences and this should serve as a warning to other fans that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated."

  • Love admitted the offence and was jailed for 12 months and given an eight-year Football Banning Order.
  • Gittins was found guilty and jailed for two years and given an eight-year Football Banning Order.
  • Paul Ogden, 36, of Church Island, Staines, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and given an eight-year Football Banning Order.
  • James Bevan, 40, of Grantham Road, London, was found guilty and was sentenced to two-and-a-half years’ imprisonment and given an eight-year Football Banning Order.
  • Danny Butler, 38, of Colyton Way, London, was found guilty and sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and given an eight-year Football Banning Order.
  • Tony Hackett, 57, of Hillview Road, Nottingham, was found guilty and was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment - suspended for 24 months - ordered to pay £1,000 costs and given a five-year Football Banning Order.

Three Arsenal fans all pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Blackfriars Crown Court were all sentenced to six months' imprisonment - suspended for 18 months - and ordered to pay £500 costs.

They were:

  • Charlie Baker, 22, of Redhill Street, NW1.
  • Jack Bulley, 23, of Wanstead Park Road, Ilford, Essex.
  • Lee Bowering, 43, of Percy Road, Romford, Essex.