A Leeds United fan who pushed the Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe in the chest during the Premier League game between the teams in May was jailed for 12 weeks on Friday.
David Derbyshire ran on to the pitch at Elland Road during the 2-2 draw and confronted Howe in the Newcastle technical area in front of the visiting dugout before pushing him. He was then led away by Leeds and Newcastle security staff.
Derbyshire, 35, was sentenced at Leeds crown court to 12 weeks in jail after admitting entering the playing area without an excuse and assaulting Howe. He was also banned from all matches for at least six years.
Footage was shown in court of the incident, which happened in the third minute of stoppage time at the end of the game, where Derbyshire made his way on to the pitch before repeatedly tapping Howe on the shoulder. He is then seen saying something to Howe before shoving him in the chest.
Howe is pushed by his assailant during the Premier League game at Elland Road in May
NOT KNOWN
District judge Tim Capstick said to Derbyshire: “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.
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“You chose to leave the stand and make your way along the players’ area and essentially assault the Newcastle football manager, Mr Howe. Your behaviour had a risk of causing further violence or crowd trouble.
“I am satisfied that these offences are serious enough to warrant a custodial sentence.”
Howe had said at the time: “He confronted me, he said something that I can’t repeat, then he’s led away. I think that’s what happened. It was just such a strange thing. Moments like this should hopefully make people analyse things and see how we can improve safety for staff and players. It certainly makes you think, ‘What if?’ ”
Derbyshire’s barrister said that his client had lost his job and split up with his partner since his arrest, and had health issues.
