Millionaire football thug jailed

Darron Brough was jailed for 15 months and banned from football for seven years for taking part.

The riot was between West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa fans.The Walsall businessman, who drives an Aston Martin and has two plush homes in the region, was forced to give up his role as director of Cannock firm Metaline Services after being caught on camera fighting outside the Uplands pub in Handsworth.

Details of the 60 sentences handed out were released today after the final defendant in the case was dealt with in court and legal restrictions were lifted.

West Midlands Police dubbed the operation to bring the men to justice Operation Tripoli, one of the largest of its type ever launched in this country.

Among those caught in the brawl following the teams' derby in August 2004 were senior managers, charity workers, postmen and a former soldier who served in Iraq.

Several people were left needing hospital treatment and neighbours looked on in horror as marauding fans using dustbins and hubcaps as weapons blocked off the busy Oxhill Road dual carriageway.

Villa supporter Neil Hemming, aged 43, of Emily Road, South Yardley, pleaded guilty yesterday to a charge of violent disorder.

Hemming was handed a 12-month suspended sentence, handed a seven-year football ban, and told to pay £500 costs.

In total, Operation Tripoli saw 29 Villa fans and 21 Albion supporters jailed.

The stiffest jail term went to West Bromwich painter Simon Hamblett, who prosecutors said helped organise the clash and was jailed for three years with a 10-year banning order.

By Jim Dunton