Three men have been sentenced following violent disorder in Newport city centre that erupted after a football match between Newport County and Eastleigh. The incidents took place in January last year and culminated in confrontations outside a pub on Cambrian Road and further clashes as Eastleigh supporters made their way towards the train station.
Samuel Grant, 24, from Newport, received a custodial sentence of two years and four months at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday, 25 April. Joseph Friel, 22, and Wayne Thomas, 18, both from Pontypool, were handed suspended sentences. All three men admitted involvement in the violent disorder. Additionally, they have each been issued with five-year football banning orders preventing attendance at Newport County matches—both home and away—as well as any regulated fixtures in Newport and Wales national team games.
The sentencing follows a thorough police investigation utilising surveillance footage from inside the stadium and the city centre to piece together the timeline of events. Sergeant Paul Turner of Gwent Police’s neighbourhood team in Newport Central stated: "Our priority is to ensure those attending football matches at Rodney Parade and visiting our city can enjoy the game and do so in safety." He emphasised that the strong response to the disorder highlighted that such behaviour would not be tolerated and warned of serious consequences for breaches of the banning orders.
Under the terms of the football banning orders, Grant, Friel, and Thomas must not enter premises for attending football matches regulated under the Football Spectators Act 1989 anywhere in the UK. They are prohibited from being within 1,000 metres of any regulated match during a 10-hour window surrounding the game and must avoid towns or cities hosting Newport County or Wales matches at away grounds for the entire day or evening of the event. They may also be required to surrender travel documents and report to police stations if matches occur abroad. Breaching these conditions carries a potential prison sentence of up to six months.
In addition to the sentences handed to Grant, Friel, and Thomas, a 16-year-old boy pleaded guilty to violent disorder and received a six-month referral order to the Newport Youth Offender panel when appearing at Cwmbran Youth Court in January.
Newport County Football Club issued a statement welcoming the court’s decision, affirming their zero-tolerance stance on such behaviour at Rodney Parade, in the city centre, or during away fixtures. The club reiterated its commitment to working closely with Gwent Police to identify and address any similar incidents, emphasising their efforts to maintain a family-friendly reputation at the club.
Sergeant Turner acknowledged the joint efforts of police and local partners, stating the investigation’s success was an example of "what can be achieved when partners work together with a common purpose" and reaffirmed the commitment to protecting communities from harm during football events.
Source: Noah Wire Services