Revealed: How CCTV gaffe led to Nic Cruwys guilty pleas

Joseph Lister and Daniel Lloyd, both 19, and a youth who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to Watford fan Nic Cruwys after Wolves' home clash against the Hornets on March 7 last year.

Ryan Meer, 19, pleaded guilty to affray, and Robert Beech, also 19, pleaded not guilty to affray, but guilty to threatening behaviour, which was accepted by the Crown.

All five were acquitted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, after a trial which lasted almost two weeks.

See also: Pictures of the attackers are revealed

Footage initially shown to barristers and to the jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court was a condensed resolution version that had been zoomed in on. But after barristers saw the original version, in which clothing of the attackers was clearer, they instructed the defendants to change their pleas.

Mr Cruwys was punched to the ground in Littles Lane, Wolverhampton, before more thugs laid into him while he was on the floor. He was left unconscious in the street and ended up in a coma after the attack.

Lister, of Palmer Close, Wednesfield; Lloyd, of Longfellow Road, Sedgley; Meer, of Watling Street, Gailey; Beech, of Springhill Road, Wednesfield and the youth will all be sentenced on September 9 pending probation service reports.

It is expected the 14-year-old who pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent will be sentenced at the same time.

Judge Simon Ward told the five that they should steel themselves for time behind bars. On the matter of the poor quality CCTV footage, Judge Ward added: "I am surprised and not at all impressed that this has come to light at such a late stage."

All five were bailed on the conditions that they do not attend any regulation football matches, do not go into Wolverhampton city centre between the hours of 10am and 11pm on any day that Wolves are playing and don't travel to any city that Wolves are playing in that day.