DARTFORD: Man sentenced following fan clashes at West Ham v Millwall (From News Shopper)

DARTFORD: Man sentenced following fan clashes at West Ham v Millwall

4:40pm Friday 27th November 2009

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A DARTFORD man has been sentenced after he admitted invading the pitch during the West Ham v Millwall Carling Cup match in August.

A total of 22 people appeared before Stratford Magistrates' Court today in connection with clashes at the Upton Park tie.

Tom Massey, of Princess Road, Dartford, pleaded guilty to pitch invasion, and the 21-year-old was banned from attending football matches for the next three years and fined £150.

Craig Hotchkiss, of Christan Fields Avenue, Gravesend, was supposed to appear to face a charge of pitch invasion, but he failed to turn up and a warrant has been issued for the 20-year-old’s arrest.

To date, a total of 65 people have been arrested in connection with incidents at the cup tie.

Of those, 51 have been charged, five are on bail pending further inquiries, three received a juvenile reprimand and six were released with no further action.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Tucker, leading the investigation for the Met Police, said: "The level of disorder witnessed that night was absolutely unacceptable and not at all in the spirit of what football matches are all about.

“We are not talking about minor offences here, but a hardcore of individuals who were intent on causing violence and destruction.

“The majority of fans, like police, will not stand for this type of mindless behaviour at matches.

“Those who played a part in the events of that night should know that our investigation continues and we are making every effort to arrest them and hold them accountable for their actions."

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