http://tyneandwear.sky.com/news/art...led-for-punching-tyne-wear-derby-police-horse A football fan been jailed for punching a police horse in the face after the Newcastle Sunderland derby match. Barry Rogerson attacked the animal outside St James' Park after the game between Newcastle United and Sunderland on April 14. The unemployed 45-year-old, of Morpeth, Northumberland, pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder and was jailed for 12 months at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday October 24. Rogerson was also ordered to serve a six year football banning order. The case was heard three days before the rival football teams face each other again at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland on Sunday. Robert Adams, mitigating for Rogerson, told the court: "Mr Rogerson was a man of good character. "He is 45-years-of-age and he, perhaps more than any other, has had the humiliation of almost constant press coverage about his involvement. "He is extremely embarrassed and ashamed of what happened. It has been difficult for him but also for his family and friends. "He has a very good work record of 22 years, it is only illness that stops him from working. He has never bothered the police before in any way and he has never appeared in any court. "He lives on disability allowance and his wife is in employment. "He is therefore a man of difficulties. He is not somebody who has ever supported or encouraged this type of behaviour. "There is no question he had a particularly large amount to drink on this day. "He had gone to watch the match, he was with a group of friends. Most of them were completely unaware what took place until afterwards. "He was not involved in any trouble before the start of the match. He appears afterwards to have taken up a position at an early stage. When there was a line of Newcastle supporters facing the police he was joining in with the jeering that was taking part at that stage. "Sadly for him he maintained his position during the two sieges. "He did not punch any human, officer or Sunderland supporter in any way. No missiles or other weapon was thrown by the defendant. See Sky Tyne and Wear's interview with Barry Rogerson after he was charged with the attack "He has no previous convictions of any sort. It is not the case that he was involved in other acts of violence around the city centre. "His wife has told him he is not going to another football match ever." He added: "Mr Rogerson has acted completely out if character while under the influence of drink." Unemployed Barry apologised for his behaviour shortly after he was filmed hitting the horse after Sunderland beat Newcastle three nil. Following the game there was wide-spread disorder in Newcastle city centre as Toon fans clashed with Sunderland supporters and the police. Barry, an ex planning controller who has been unemployed for eight years, said: "I never had any intention of getting involved in any riots, I was going to the next bar and I was in the middle of it all. "Someone let a fire-cracker off and the horse was charging towards me. "I just reacted stupidly, I realised what I had done once I was on the floor with police. "The officers tripped me up, which is why I had blood on my nose, it was all a blur. "My friend came across and wiped the blood off my nose. I didn't start out to do it. "I was trying to get the horse away. I definitely regret it, it is my first offence and I am 45-years-old." When asked why he was wearing a scarf around his face the dad-of-one said: "It looks bad, but my filling fell out and it was cold on Sunday. "I wasn't drunk, I had two pints before the match and a bottle at half time. The police were fine. They said thank you for being honest and polite. "I am sorry for hitting the horse, and I am sorry for the whole incident. I have embarrassed myself and my family." Rogerson , of Morpeth, Northumberland was wrestled to the ground by an officer after punching police horse Bud, who is said to have made a full recovery following the incident.
I wonder what all the people who claimed he'd 'never get a custodial sentence' will have to say ................ nowt?
Justice has been served. Let this be an example to any football fan who thinks he/she can behave like an animal in around our football grounds.
Did the police & courts keep this verdict until the eve of the derby as a warning to other equine pugilists ........... I hope the police horses all get a big cheer around the SOL
I dare say they will + Have you ever seen a mackem punch a horse - have you ****! I suspect will be the loudest chant of the afternoon
" it is only illness that stops him from working." "He lives on disability allowance. " Yep, I can't work through illness, I have mobility problems! (I was under the impression DLA was there for people who couldn't get about on their own.) But I can jump about like a stormtooper with a scarf round my face, trying to hide my identity, and front up 1000lb of of pure muscle head on.
Abridged version for any Mags looking in who would struggle to read the entire OP. Barry Rogerson ia an unemployed 45-year-old who has been unemployed for eight years. He has a very good work record of 22 years, it is only illness that stops him from working. He lives on disability allowance while his wife goes out to work. According to his solicitor, "There is no question he had a particularly large amount to drink on this day." According to the Geordie hero, "I wasn't drunk, I had two pints before the match and a bottle at half time." I realised what I had done once I was on the floor with police. When asked why he was wearing a scarf around his face the dad-of-one said: "It looks bad, but my filling fell out and it was cold on Sunday. "I am sorry for hitting the horse, and I am sorry for the whole incident. I have embarrassed myself, my family, my club and the entire Geordie Nation."
Obviously he's a prick and an idiot, but that is a stupendously harsh sentence for punching a horse, when you look at the other crimes that go with a slap on the wrist!! (robbery, common assault) etc. It's a shame that simply because of media coverage, punching a massive horse has been deemed a far worse crime than repeatedly hitting a human being. Shocking. When I was about 15 me and my mates were walking down the town centre, when some 19/20 year old lads jumped us. I got hit once, wasn't badly hurt. But isn't that worse than hitting a police horse once? The police didn't give a **** about me. 1 of the older lads had my mate on the floor hitting him and kicking him. The lad who done it was charged with common assault, found guilty, and given a warning. I'm just amazed that landing 1 punch on a horse has got this guy a year in jail, disgusting.
Not defending here mate. But you can get DLA and work. It's not money for what you can't do, it's money to help you so you can do. If that makes sense? it's Income Support/Incapacity Benefit/Employment Support Allowance that provides money for what you can't do.
"Newcastle Fan Who Punched Police Horse Claims 'Self Defence' and cites the ownership of a pond as proof of his love for animals." Strangely, there's a distinct lack of the usual Mags, on here, and no horse-battering thread on their board ...........
Bri ........ **** off mate. This thread is a piss-take of one of the Geordie Nation who's been locked up for a year 'cos he punched a horse in the face. There is no place for reason or logic
He was part of a riot and involved sustained disorder. He was part of a mob setting fires in the street and throwing missiles at innocent people and the police. He confronted the police, attacked one of them and endangered the rider who may have been thrown. If he hadn't been caught do you think he'd have realised the errors of his ways and toddled off to feed his fish? No, he'd have bragged to his mates about 'confronting the Mackems' and standing up to the police. Disgusting? Give yer head a shake man.
