Wolves fan banned for 12 months over attack
A Wolves fan who punched a Leeds supporter when trouble flared outside Molineux has been ordered to carry out 150 hours community service and banned from football grounds across the country for 12 months.
Andrew Mackay had not bought a ticket for the match on February 9 but became involved in a fight that broke out on the concourse at the top of Molineux Street following the 2-2 draw.
The 21-year-old, of Wombourne, was part of a group of up to 30 men gathering outside The Wanderer pub, Mr Mark Rees, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court.
He said they began moving towards the subway and that 'disorder started to take place'. Mackay was seen swinging a punch at a Leeds supporter and a police officer swiftly pulled him away around the waist and they fell to the floor, a court heard.
When arrested Mackay, of Wombourne Park, told officers he had been intending to watch the match in the pub.
Mr David Bratt, defending, said his client had reacted after seeing another Wolves fan get punched by the man he attacked.
He said: "It was a moment of crass stupidity as he did not need to get involved. The men were moved on and in that movement he saw a Leeds supporter punch a Wolves supporter and in the heat of the moment he retaliated.
"It was only one punch and he did not prevaricate or resist arrest."
Mackay, who pleaded guilty to affray, was given a 12-month community order and told to complete 150 hours unpaid work. He was also given a football banning order and must pay £535 costs.
Judge Helen Hughes told him: "The references I have seen show that up until this offence no-one had any concerns or anything bad to say about you but you have now got a serious conviction and have bro-ught shame upon yourself and your family."
She said he could have been given a custodial sentence but had shown he was 'sorry for his actions'. Stafford Street and Broad Street were temporarily shut as a result of the trouble, which also spread outside the Hog's Head pub.
