Thomas Taylor sentenced to suspended prison sentence (Image: Facebook)
A soccer player has been sentenced to a suspended prison sentence for allegedly knocking out an opponent with an elbow strike. Former professional Thomas Taylor, 36, of Llandonagh, Beaumaris, Anglesey, pleaded guilty on January 17 to assaulting Daniel Brookwell in Porthmadog, Gwynedd, causing actual bodily harm.
Footage of the incident went viral, with many viewers demanding serious action. The 24-week prison sentence was suspended for one year and Taylor must pay £200 compensation, a £154 surcharge and £85 costs.
Prosecutor Diane Williams told Caernarfon magistrates that Mr Brookwell was playing in Porthmadog’s game against Treardur Bay. According to him, there was no rivalry between the teams.
But prosecutors said Mr Porthmadog was given a penalty for the foul on Mr Brookwell. He then stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Taylor, waiting for the penalty to be called.
“All of a sudden I hit the floor. I didn’t realize I was on the floor until a few seconds later,” Williams said.
He was bleeding from his mouth and nose and was in a state of shock. Images of the injured lip and video of the assault were presented to the court.
The court heard Mr Brookwell left the pitch feeling dizzy. “A young man showed me a video recording of what happened to me,” Brookwell said in a statement.
“I was very shocked. I don’t know what caused this to happen. It was very painful for me to pass out during a soccer game.”
Brookwell continued: “I found it very difficult to return to football in the same way. This incident has robbed me of the confidence and enjoyment I once had in playing.”
The prosecutor’s office stated, “The defendant previously claimed that the victim provoked him to the point of fouling him and threatening him just before the incident, but that is not the case at all.It was an intentional assault.”
Mrs Williams added that Taylor had been cautioned for dissent during the match. Defense solicitor Glyn Roberts said: “The defendant will admit, but will argue that, before the assault, the victim said something to the effect of “I’m going to break your leg, you boy.”
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Mr Roberts said Mr Taylor accepted his actions were “inexcusable” and wanted to apologize. He was a former professional footballer for Shrewsbury Town, and coached and occasionally played for the Anglesey club.
Taylor has diabetes and believed that his blood sugar levels and “provocation” may have played a role. Roberts added: “The impact on him is significant. He has been vilified and threatened on social media. He is asking the court to consider this provocation.”
Judge Gwilym Morgan told Taylor: “I believe this is a serious offense and exceeds the threshold for custody.”
Treardur Bay FC posted the following after the violence: “Following an internal investigation, the decision has been made to immediately release the suspended players involved.
“Trealdur Bay Football Club does not condone any form of violence and accepts that this incident should not have occurred. The club would like to offer its sincere apologies to the opposing players involved, CPD Porthmadog, match officials, supporters and the wider football community.”
