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Sheffield Wednesday footballer 'broke supporter's nose' | Sheffield Wednesday footballer 'broke supporter's nose' |
(about 11 hours later) | |
A Championship footballer broke a fan's nose in a bar fight before shattering a second man's jaw and cheek weeks later in a separate incident, a court heard. | A Championship footballer broke a fan's nose in a bar fight before shattering a second man's jaw and cheek weeks later in a separate incident, a court heard. |
Sheffield Wednesday player Gary Madine, 23, is accused of attacking Owls fan Daniel Beresford in February 2012 and Reece Hall in March 2012. | Sheffield Wednesday player Gary Madine, 23, is accused of attacking Owls fan Daniel Beresford in February 2012 and Reece Hall in March 2012. |
Prosecutors told a jury at Leeds Crown Court the centre forward was "an arrogant, violent thug" when drunk. | Prosecutors told a jury at Leeds Crown Court the centre forward was "an arrogant, violent thug" when drunk. |
Mr Madine, who has a previous assault conviction, denies the charges. | |
Mr Madine is said to have attacked Meadowhall shopping centre worker Mr Beresford in the Paris Bar, in Sheffield city centre, knocking him unconscious and breaking his nose. | |
Mr Beresford told the court Mr Madine had been staring at him and, when he had asked why, the player lashed out. | |
He said: "He was one of my favourite players, someone I looked up to." | He said: "He was one of my favourite players, someone I looked up to." |
Defence counsel Alison Dorrell, however, described Mr Beresford as being "fighting drunk" and alleged he had thrown a drink on the player. | Defence counsel Alison Dorrell, however, described Mr Beresford as being "fighting drunk" and alleged he had thrown a drink on the player. |
Mr Madine is further alleged to have assaulted Sheffield United fan Mr Hall in the Viper Room, also in the city centre, after asking him who he supported. | |
Mr Hall, who did not recognise the Wednesday striker, replied "United", and moments later he was punched in the eye, the court heard. | Mr Hall, who did not recognise the Wednesday striker, replied "United", and moments later he was punched in the eye, the court heard. |
Prosecutor Ian West said Mr Hall suffered a broken jaw and his cheek was fractured in five places. | Prosecutor Ian West said Mr Hall suffered a broken jaw and his cheek was fractured in five places. |
The court heard that Mr Madine, originally from Gateshead, already had a conviction for knocking out a man in Carlisle after pleading guilty to the attack in February 2010. | |
'Drunken punch' | 'Drunken punch' |
Mr West said: "During his hours of sobriety, Mr Madine is a very fine footballer. However, if you believe the red top newspapers, as often footballers do, they go out at night and drink. | Mr West said: "During his hours of sobriety, Mr Madine is a very fine footballer. However, if you believe the red top newspapers, as often footballers do, they go out at night and drink. |
"The prosecution suggest in Mr Madine's case he, in too much drink, turns into an arrogant, violent thug." | "The prosecution suggest in Mr Madine's case he, in too much drink, turns into an arrogant, violent thug." |
Mr West added: "He is a very fit and strong young man. You may think Mr Madine is a large centre forward in the old-fashioned English style, and is very much aware of his physical strength, it being so much a part of his job. | Mr West added: "He is a very fit and strong young man. You may think Mr Madine is a large centre forward in the old-fashioned English style, and is very much aware of his physical strength, it being so much a part of his job. |
"You would think on the third assault that when he throws a punch, especially a drunken punch, late at night in a nightclub, he is really going to cause a lot of damage. | "You would think on the third assault that when he throws a punch, especially a drunken punch, late at night in a nightclub, he is really going to cause a lot of damage. |
"When thinking about what he was intending, do not forget he is a big, strong lad and he knows what he is capable of." | "When thinking about what he was intending, do not forget he is a big, strong lad and he knows what he is capable of." |
When Mr Madine played for Carlisle United, he knocked a man unconscious in the Beehive pub in February 2010 after he was refused a drink following closing time and tried to help himself, the court heard. He pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. | |
Mr Madine denies causing grievous bodily harm against Mr Beresford, and causing grievous bodily harm with intent against Mr Hall. | |
The trial continues. | The trial continues. |