A Leeds United fan has been jailed and banned from football stadiums for six years after he was found guilty of assaulting Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe.
David Derbyshire, 35, confronted Howe after running on to the Elland Road pitch during the Premier League game in May.
Howe was left shaken by the attack but did not suffer any physical injuries before Newcastle’s coaching staff and Leeds stewards restrained the fan.
Derbyshire was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court to three months in jail and he was also banned from all matches for at least six years, with the severity of the punishment said to be a warning to others.
The court heard the incident happened in the 93rd minute of the match as the teams were drawing 2-2, which was the final score. Footage showed Derbyshire making his way on to the pitch before repeatedly tapping Howe on the shoulder. He then shoved him in his chest before he was removed by security staff.
District Judge Tim Capstick told him: “You attended Elland Road football match as a fan. You had plainly had a significant amount of alcohol before you went to the ground and it is clear that alcohol has been a long-term problem for you.
“You chose to leave the stand and make your way along the players’ area and essentially assault the Newcastle football manager, Mr Howe.
“In my judgement this case falls outside the guidelines and has a number of aggravating features.”
He said Howe was “vulnerable” and had been targeted “simply because he was the football manager of the team playing against Leeds on that match day”.
Judge Capstick added: “Your behaviour had a risk of causing further violence or crowd trouble at the ground, it being the last match of the season [it was actually the third from last] and all that that entailed.
“Worse still, that match was televised so your behaviour was seen on national TV and seen by millions of people.
“I am satisfied that these offences are serious enough to warrant a custodial sentence.”
Derbyshire’s barrister said his client had lost his job and his partner since his arrest.
Judge Capstick said: “The message needs to go out that people who behave as you do need to understand they can expect a custodial sentence.”
