HILL: ABUSIVE FOOTBALL FAN SPARED JAIL FOR PART IN FA CUP VIOLENCE

A teenage football yob who was involved in violent clashes between Portsmouth FC supporters and police in which an officer was glassed was spared jail today (thurs).

Marvin Hill, 19, threatened and hurled abuse at officers as they tried to prevent trouble erupting between drunken fans after Pompey’s 1-0 FA Cup final defeat at the hands of Chelsea at Wembley last year.

As police fought to control the crowd of supporters he was heard shouting ‘Come on’ and ‘Get rid of your dog and I will take you on’.

During the incident on May 15 acting police sergeant Damian Hill suffered cuts to his face after a pint glass was thrown at him.

Police dog ‘Texas’ also received cuts to its paws after treading on broken glass from a bottle that shattered at its feet.

Hill who was convicted by a jury of one count of affray and was today given a year-long community order and told to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

Hill had stood trial alongside Brian Smith, 50, who was alleged to have been responsible for throwing the glass at Sgt Hill and hurling the bottle towards ‘Texas’.

Mr Smith was cleared by the jury of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and damaging property.

Southwark Crown Court heard how ugly scenes flared between police and Portsmouth fans outside The Perseverance pub, in Shroton Street, Marylebone, west London,

Police had moved in to stop violence erupting between Pompey and rival Chelsea FC fans, who were drinking at a nearby pub.

Prosecutor Charles Evans told the court: ‘While all this was happening Marvin Hill was seen shouting ‘Come on’ and other things like ‘Get rid of your dog and I will take you on’.

‘It was designed to ratchet up the feeling that were already high.’

Hill admitted in interview he was present and that he acted in an aggressive manner, but denied that he had used or threatened unlawful violence.

Hill, of (43) Thorncroft Road, Portsmouth, was convicted of one count of affray.

Smith, of (320) Chatsworth Avenue, Portsmouth, was found not guilty of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and damaging property.

ENDS