Simon Dobbin attack: Thirteen men convicted over football fan assault
- Published
Simon Dobbin, with his daughter Emily (left) and wife Nicole, was attacked by rival football fans
Thirteen men have been convicted for a "ferocious attack" which left a football fan permanently brain damaged.
Cambridge United supporter Simon Dobbin has been unable to walk or talk since the attack in Southend in March 2015.
Basildon Crown Court heard the group of Southend United supporters had planned to "ambush" rival fans.
Nine men were guilty of violent disorder, three of conspiracy to commit violent disorder and one of assisting an offender.
Top row (l to r) Alexander Woods, Greg Allen, Ian Young, James Woods, Jamie Chambers, Lewis Courtnell. Bottom row (l-to r) Matthew Petchey, Michael Shawyer, Philip McGill, Rhys Pullen, Ryan Carter, Scott Nicholls and Thomas Randall
All 13 have been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on Monday, which Mr Dobbin is expected to attend.
Speaking outside the court, the victim's wife Nicole Dobbin said: "Justice has been served for Simon.
"Two-and-a-half years we've waited for this result and so I'm over the moon - finally someone is paying for what they've done to my husband.
"He'll never be the same again but we can move forward from this."
Simon Dobbin: Ferocious attack left fan unable to walk or talk
Nicole Dobbin said she was delighted that "justice has been served" for her husband
During the trial, Andrew Jackson, prosecuting, said Mr Dobbin was with a group of Cambridge fans who went for a drink in the Blue Boar pub after a 0-0 draw with Southend.
The court was told the defendants scouted out potential targets and attacked them as they walked past The Railway pub on their way to Prittlewell train station.
"It was a carefully prepared ambush," Mr Jackson told the court.
Furious scenes erupted outside court after the verdicts were returned
He described it as a "ferocious attack" which lasted up to 90 seconds, and said bottles and glasses were thrown.
"Simon Dobbin was hit and stamped upon repeatedly and he sustained massive brain injuries as a result of it," he added.
One of the attackers had a hooligan "calling card" stuck to his telephone which read: "Congratulations. You've just met the CS Crew (Southend United) First we take your life, then we take your wife".
One of the men found guilty had this label on his mobile telephone
Prosecutors say the defendants waited in The Railway before attacking the Cambridge fans
Douglas Mackay from the Crown Prosecution Service said: "These men set out on that Saturday with the intention of getting involved in the most horrific violence.
"Their victims were chosen at random and were entirely innocent.
"The jury agreed with the prosecution that each of these men played an active part in planning or carrying out this shocking attack.
"Mr Dobbin and his family have been through an unimaginable ordeal. I can only hope these verdicts bring some sense of justice for them."
Simon Dobbin (pictured centre) was put into a medically-induced coma
Eight men were found guilty of violent disorder, alongside Rhys Pullen, 21, of Wickford, who had already admitted the charge. They are:
Ryan Carter, 21, of York Road, Southend
Jamie Chambers, 24, of Coleman Street, Southend
Lewis Courtnell, 34, of Stadium Road, Southend
Scott Nicholls, 40, of Little Spenders, Basildon
Matthew Petchey, 26, of Lascelles Gardens, Rochford
Thomas Randall, 22, of Seaforth Avenue, Southend
Alexander Woods, 25, of Fairmead Avenue, Westcliff
James Woods, 25, of Fairmead Avenue, Westcliff
Three men were found guilty of conspiracy to commit violent disorder but not guilty of violent disorder:
Greg Allen, 29, of Western Avenue, Westcliff
Phil McGill, 32, of Hornby Avenue, Westcliff
Michael Shawyer, 31, of Belgrave Road, Leigh-on-Sea
Ian Young, 41, of Brightwell Avenue, Westcliff was found guilty of assisting an offender by hiding the group while police were conducting a search - but not guilty of conspiracy to commit violent disorder.
- Published6 June 2017
