Football banning orders served to disgraced Millers fans after Gillingham clash

Fights broke out at Priestfield stadium in April when Rotherham United and Gillingham fans confronted each other on the pitch at full time in the final match of last season.

Twenty-two people — including nine with Rotherham addresses — appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court last Thursday (December 8) and Friday (December 9) to receive banning orders, with some receiving jail time and community service orders.

Among those in court was Jake Walton (23), of St Nicolas Road in Rawmarsh, who was sentenced to four months suspended for 24 months, ordered to carry out 250 hours of community service and and handed a ten-year football banning order.

Andrew Duke (53), of Farm View Road, Kimberworth, received an eight-week sentence suspended for 12 months, 200 hours of community service and a four-year football banning order.

Seven other defendants with Rotherham addresses all appeared on Friday, and were sentenced as follows:

Jack Cranswick (23), of Creswick Close, East Herringthorpe — 150 hours of community service and a three-year football banning order.

Alex Fields (21), of Braithwell Road, Maltby — 150 hours of community service and a three-year football banning order.

Colby Smith (26), of Fullerton Crescent, Thrybergh — 180 hours of community service and a three-year football banning order.

Lee Smith (53), of Rockingham Road, Rawmarsh — received 150 hours of community service and a three-year football banning order

Liam Baldwin (35), of First Lane, East Dene — 230 hours of community service and a three-year football banning order.

Callum Davies (23), of Rowan Rise, Maltby — 150 hours of community service and a three-year football banning order.

Lee Horton (46), of Linkswood Road, Dalton — 150 hours of community service and a four-year football banning order.

The following defendants with Yorkshire addresses were also sentenced: 

Lee Young (42), of Deveron Way, York — 150 hours of community service and a three-year football banning order.

Jarrod Allsop (22), from Berry Edge Close, Doncaster — 130 hours of community service and a three-year football banning order.

Eleven men aged between 18 and 25 — all with Kent addresses — were handed banning orders and community service or prison sentences.

Sup Int Ray Quiller of Kent Police said: “There is absolutely no place in football or anywhere else in society for the type of violence and behaviour that occurred following this particular match.

“In the presence of genuine football supporters, including children, the actions of these individuals were totally unacceptable.

“Football banning orders were introduced in the late 1980s to help improve safety at matches, and they remain an important power at our disposal despite there being far fewer incidents today than there were back then. 

“I am pleased to see them given in the circumstances of this case and we will continue to seek these against offenders who act in this manner at football matches.

“We are proud of the strong relationships we have with the football clubs across Kent and I hope these results demonstrate how seriously we take it when the actions of a mindless few put other people’s safety and wellbeing at risk.”