Sunday League footballer 'saw red' and broke opponent's jaw after Kettering match

A Sunday League footballer left an opposition player needing plates inserted in his jaw after punching him over insults made about his weight.

Tom Doherty, 25, was spared from prison yesterday (Tuesday) a year to the day since the incident after the full-time whistle had gone at Kettering's Weekley Glebe playing fields.

His Wellingborough Saxons side had just enjoyed a 3-2 win over Broughton Old Boys in the Rushden & District Football League when his victim walked off the pitch.

But Northampton Crown Court heard Doherty, of Cleeve Way in Wellingborough, approached him and confronted him after he was called a "fat ****" during the match.

Prosecutor Eunice Opare-Addo said the victim repeated the comments but was then attacked after turning his head.

She said: "Doherty punched the complainant with a clenched fist, striking him in the jaw."

The victim fell backwards and was held from falling to the floor by referee Kevin Davis.

He was taken to KGH before being referred to NGH for next day for surgery on a broken jaw.

The court heard he had to have a tooth extracted, was left with cuts to the inside of his jaw and had to have three plates inserted.

Ms Opare-Addo read a victim impact statement from the victim, who said he has difficulty cleaning his teeth and has to watch what he eats because of the injury.

She said: "He's not able to open his mouth very wide due to the pain."

The court Doherty, who apologised to the referee after the incident, later voluntarily attended a police station.

He was charged with causing grievous bodily harm without intent, which he admitted when he appeared before magistrates in October.

Mitigating, Pree Brada said Doherty, who was supported by family members in the public gallery, had struggled with his weight and was extremely remorseful for his actions.

She added that the incident was completely out of character as he had never been in trouble before.

She said: "He saw red. He hit him once and he deeply regrets taking that action."

Doherty was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 12 months.

His Honour Judge Rupert Mayo told him: "It casts a nasty shadow over Sunday League if people hit each other.

"You know that and you knew that at the time because you apologised to the ref."

Doherty must pay his victim £1,500 in compensation, court costs of £260 and take part in rehabilitation activities.