SMITH: DRUNKEN POMPEY FAN ATTACKED POLICE AFTER CUP FINAL DEFEAT

A drunken Portsmouth FC fan cut a police dog’s paw with a bottle and hurled a pint glass in a police officer’s face, a court heard.

Brian Smith, 50, allegedly threw the tumbler at acting police sergeant Damian Hill after Pompey’s 1-0 FA Cup final defeat at the hands of Chelsea last year.

Moments earlier Smith chucked a bottle at police dog ‘Texas’, which shattered and caused cuts to the animal’s paws.

Marvin Hill, 19, was also allegedly involved in the incident and was heard to shout at officers ‘Get rid of your dog and I will take you on.’

Southwark Crown Court heard Smith and Hill were drinking with dozens of fellow Portsmouth FC supporters The Perseverance, in Shroton Street, Marylebone, after the game on May 15, 2010.

Nearby scores of Chelsea fans were celebrating their victory at The Globe, on the corner of Shroton Street and Lisson Grove.

Prosecutor Charles Evans said there had been no trouble between the fans until a lone Chelsea supporter approached The Perseverance and police moved in to intercept him.

‘That little spark ignited and the police officer who was dealing with the singleton from Chelsea turned around to and saw that some interest was being shown by the Portsmouth fans and they had started moving towards the police.

‘Fearing that this was going to lead to a confrontation between the fans the police started to line up and moved towards the Portsmouth supporters.’

He told the court that two police dog handlers were called in to help clear the area, but officers became ‘kettled’ by Pompey fans.

‘One of the officers involved was acting police sergeant Damian Hill and he called for emergency backup,’ he said.

‘At this stage Mr Smith was seen to step from the crowd and to throw a glass bottle at the feet of PC Gavin Cerasale’s dog Texas.

‘As a result Texas trod on the glass and injured the pads of his feet.

‘PC Cerasale then saw the defendant step forward and throw a glass directly at the head of Pol Sgt Hill.

‘He then described seeing blood coming from a deep laceration below Pol Sgt Hill’s eye.’
 
Mr Evans told the court that PC Cerasale pursued Smith and struck him on the head with his baton to detain and arrest him.

Jurors heard Hill had been spotted goading officers.

Mr Evans said: ‘While all this was happening Mr Hill was shouting ‘Come on’ and other things like ‘Get rid of your dog and I will take you on’, designed to ratchet up the feelings that were already present.’

In his interview Hill admitted being present and admitted acting in an aggressive manner but said he could not remember much because he was too drunk.

Smith claimed he had only thrown a half-full plastic cup of beer which was not aimed at anybody.
 
Smith, of (320) Chatsworth Avenue, Portsmouth, denies wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and damaging property.

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

The trial continues.
ENDS