Jack Grealish: Birmingham City fan jailed for 14 weeks for attacking Aston Villa footballer
Breaking: SKY NEWS
The court hears Paul Mitchell decided to run on to the pitch for a "joke", as his mother breaks down in tears during the hearing.
Monday 11 March 2019
Jack Grealish attacked
Fan invades the pitch and attacks Aston Villa's Jack Grealish
Sky News
A Birmingham City fan has been jailed for attacking Aston Villa footballer Jack Grealish on the pitch.
Paul Mitchell, 27, pleaded guilty at Birmingham Magistrates' Court to assault and a charge of encroaching on to the playing surface during Sunday's derby match.
He was sentenced to 14 weeks in jail and given a 10-year football banning order. Birmingham City had already said the father-of-one will be banned for life from their stadium.
Grealish was punched by Mitchell less than 10 minutes into the live-televised game at Birmingham's St Andrew's ground.
Despite the assault, the Villa captain went on to score the game's only goal.
The court heard Mitchell decided to run on to the pitch for a "joke" and claimed not to have been drunk when he launched the on-field attack.
The pub worker, from Rubery in Worcestershire, allegedly told police he thought Grealish "was a k***".
In a statement read to the court, Grealish, 23, said: "I cannot help but feel how lucky I was in this incident.
Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish attacked by spectator in derby at Birmingham City.
Grealish says he feels 'lucky' after the incident
"It could have so much worse had the supporter had some sort of weapon."
Prosecutor Jonathan Purser told the court that Grealish felt "lasting pain" but suffered no "substantial injury" from the punch to his jaw.
The footballer was surprised at how easily Mitchell was able to run on to the pitch, Mr Purser added.
Vaughn Whistance, Mitchell's lawyer, told the court on Monday: "He cannot explain what came over him yesterday morning. His initial foolish intention was to just go onto the pitch and whip up the crowd.
"He has brought shame upon himself and his family... and the football club he has supported since he was a child.
"He apologises to Aston Villa and in particular Jack Grealish for his terrible behaviour.
"He is certainly remorseful today."
Mr Whistance said that Mitchell's family had been receiving abuse online after the incident and had been forced to move.
The defendant's mother broke down in tears as she sat with his father in the public gallery during the hearing.
Mitchell was ordered to pay £100 to Grealish as compensation for the pain, discomfort and shock caused by the assault.
He was also hit with a £115 victim surcharge and £135 in prosecution costs - and given a fortnight to pay the total sum of £350.
Meanwhile, a man has been charged with assault after an Arsenal fan ran on to the pitch at the Emirates Stadium and allegedly shoved Manchester United defender Chris Smalling.
Gary Cooper, 30, of Styventon Place in Chertsey, Surrey, was arrested on Sunday and will appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court in north London on Friday.
He has been charged with common assault and going on to the playing area, the Metropolitan Police said.
UPDATED 11/03/19
Jack Grealish: Birmingham City fan jailed for pitch attack
Birmingham City fan Paul Mitchell has pleaded guilty to assaulting Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish during Sunday's derby match.
Paul Mitchell received 14 weeks in prison.
Birmingham & Black Country
Breaking:Jack Grealish: Birmingham City fan jailed for pitch attack
Monday 11th March 2019
Jack Grealish was attacked from behind by Paul Mitchell
A Birmingham City fan has been jailed for 14 weeks for attacking Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish during the second city derby.
Paul Mitchell, of Rubery, Worcestershire, hit Grealish from behind on the pitch about 10 minutes into Sunday's game.
Mitchell, 27, admitted assault and encroachment on to the pitch at Birmingham Magistrates' Court earlier.
He "cannot explain what came over him yesterday morning", his solicitor said.
UPDATED 11/03/19
Birmingham City fan Paul Mitchell has pleaded guilty to assaulting Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish during Sunday's derby match.
Paul Mitchell, 27, entered the guilty plea at a packed out Birmingham Magistrates’ Court this morning following the shocking scenes on Sunday.
His defence solicitor told the court how Mitchell's wife and children "have had to move out of Birmingham in fear of death" following threats over the incident.
SKY NEWS
Vaughn Whistance, Mitchell's lawyer, told the court: "He cannot explain what came over him yesterday morning. His initial foolish intention was to just go onto the pitch and whip up the crowd."
Aston Villa players tried to intervene as Mitchell was taken off the pitch
Mr Whistance said that Mitchell's family had been receiving abuse online after the incident and had been forced to move.
Birmingham City has already said Mitchell will be banned for life from their stadium.
He will be sentenced later today.
During game he physically lands a punch on the rent boy from villa
Video
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bzA2bNjvDQAAston Villa player Jack Grealish attacked by fan during Birmingham match
The Aston Villa captain later delighted fans by scoring the opening goal in the match's 66th minute.
By Emily Mee, news reporter
Sunday 10 March 2019
A fan invades the pitch and attacks Aston Villa's Jack Grealish during the match against Birmingham City
Aston Villa player Jack Grealish has been attacked by a fan who ran on to the pitch during a Championship match.
He was punched in the side of the head from behind less than 10 minutes into the match against Birmingham.
The spectator was restrained by stewards as other Villa players tried to intervene.
He blew kisses to the crowd while being led away by police.
The man was arrested following the incident and has been banned for life from St Andrew's stadium.
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