Thomas Taylor appeared in court and pleaded guilty to assaulting Daniel Brookwell, who was playing for Treardur Bay against Porthmadog, during a football match in Wales.
Former pro Thomas Taylor sentenced to suspended sentence for elbowing (Image: X)
A football player who was filmed knocking out an opponent with an elbow has been found guilty of being “provoked” after receiving a foul.
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. Taylor was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison, suspended for one year, on Monday, May 11.
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.
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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.”
Video of the attack went viral online. Brookwell said: “I found it very difficult to return to football in the same way. Because of this incident, I lost the confidence and enjoyment that I used to have 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.”
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Mrs Williams added that Taylor had been cautioned for dissent during the match. Defense barrister Glyn Roberts said: “The defendant will admit, but will argue that before the assault, the victim said words to the effect of ‘I’m going to break your leg, you son of a bitch’.”
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.”
The 24-week prison sentence was suspended for one year. He must pay compensation of £200, a surcharge of £154 and costs of £85.
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.”
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