Thomas Taylor has been handed a suspended prison sentence (Image: Facebook)
A footballer filmed elbowing and allegedly knocking out an opponent has been handed a suspended prison sentence. Former pro Thomas Taylor, 36, of Llanddona, Beaumaris, Anglesey, pleaded guilty to assaulting Daniel Brookwell causing actual bodily harm on January 17 at Porthmadog, Gwynedd.
The footage of the incident went viral with many viewers demanding serious action. A 24-week jail term was suspended for a year and Taylor must pay £200 compensation, a £154 surcharge, and £85 costs.
Prosecutor Diane Williams told magistrates at Caernarfon that Mr Brookwell had been playing for Porthmadog against Trearddur Bay. According to him, there was no rivalry between the teams.
But the prosecutor said Porthmadog had been given a penalty because of a foul on Mr Brookwell. He had then waited shoulder-to-shoulder with Taylor for the penalty to be taken.
Mrs Williams said Mr Brookwell had described: ”I suddenly hit the floor. I didn’t realise I was on the floor until after a few seconds.”
Blood had been coming from his mouth and nose area and he was in shock. An image of an injured lip was shown to the court and the video of the assault.
The court heard Mr Brookwell came off the pitch, feeling dizzy. “A young male showed me the footage of what had happened,” Mr Brookwell said in a statement.
“I was quite shocked. I don’t understand what caused this. Being knocked unconscious during a football match was deeply distressing.”
Mr Brookwell continued: ”I found it very difficult to return to football in the same way. The incident has taken away the confidence and enjoyment I once had playing the game.”
The prosecution said: ”The defendant said he had been fouled by the victim previously and just before the incident that he had been provoked to the point he was threatened. That’s not the case at all. It was a purposeful assault.”
Taylor had been booked for dissent during the game, Mrs Williams added. Defence solicitor Glyn Roberts claimed: ”Prior to the assault, which the defendant has admitted, he will maintain the victim said words to the effect ‘I will break your f-ing legs, you m—‘.”
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Mr Roberts said Taylor accepted his conduct was “inexcusable” and wished to apologise. He’d been a Shrewsbury Town professional footballer at one time and was a coach for the Anglesey club, playing occasionally.
Taylor had diabetes and believed his blood-sugar level and “provocation” may have affected him. Mr Roberts added: ”The consequences for him have been significant. He’s been vilified on social media, threats have been made against him. He asks the court to consider the provocation in this case.”
Court chairman Gwilym Morgan told Taylor: ”This was a serious offence and we believe that it has crossed the custody threshold.”
Trearddur Bay FC had posted after the violence: ”Following an internal review, the decision was taken to release the suspended player involved with immediate effect.
“Trearddur Bay Football Club does not condone violence in any form and acknowledges that the incident should not have occurred. The club offers its sincere apologies to the opposition player involved, CPD Porthmadog, match officials, supporters, and the wider football community.”