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A SUNDAY LEAGUE footballer who intentionally broke an opponent’s leg before subjecting him to a tirade of abuse has been jailed in the UK.
Nathaniel James Kerr (27) of HMP Forest Bank pleaded guilty to Section 20 assault at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester yesterday.
He was jailed for 12 months.
On 31 August 2014, the 30-year-old victim got involved in a verbal argument with an opposing player in the early stages of a Sunday League football match.
Moments later the victim played the ball and from some distance away Kerr ran towards him, jumped into the air and in a ‘long jump’ motion brought both feet stamping down on the victim’s outstretched leg.
As the 30-year-old rolled around in agony with his leg fractured in multiple places, Kerr pointed at his teammate and shouted: “I’ve done this ‘cos of you!”
The victim was taken to hospital, where he remained for several weeks undergoing extensive reconstructive surgery.
Police described the incident as a “horror tackle”.
Constable Louise Spencer said:
This injury has had a catastrophic effect on the victim’s life, meaning he has been unable to work or support his young family.
He is self-employed and the injury meant he was forced to rely on the kindness of his teammates, who arranged fundraisers and charity events to provide the financial support he needed.
“All the while Kerr has shown absolutely no remorse for his vicious attack, calling the victim a ‘wimp’ and verbally abusing him as he was lying in agony on the pitch.
“The subsequent investigation and conviction into this assault demonstrates that this kind of aggression and thuggery during sporting fixtures will not be tolerated by Greater Manchester Police.”
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The costs are crippling! Technology introduced and then you have to purchase books for a barcode that will just sit there…..makes no sense and doubles the cost. Crested uniforms that schools insist on that are poor quality and over priced when non-crested available in shops at a fraction of the cost.
‘Voluntary Contribution’ that is NOT voluntary!!
My daughters school have brought in a PE uniform this year, €80 per child. Insane to be doing this with the costs spiralling at the moment and people struggling.
@Dawn Harvey: my family was reared in 1980s recession, school did the same thing.
Voluntary contribution is voluntary.
Don’t be shamed into paying it.
If the school had a generic uniform, I’d gladly contribute to the running costs. They insist on a branded one means that money goes elsewhere
have your say