Torbay football thugs banned from grounds for four years after Torquay town centre clash

Nine Torquay United supporters, plus three from Exeter City, have been banned from attending matches for up to four years after they were involved in clashes following a pre-season friendly at Plainmoor 16 months ago. 
Police revealed today that the fans were also given fines, community orders, made to do unpaid work and had to pay costs for their part in incidents in Torquay after the Gulls won a warm-up match 1-0 in July 2022. 
United have been quick to condemn their actions and support the work of police and courts. 
The Gulls also say that the Football Association has warned them that any future reports of crowd trouble could result in the club being fined or possibly having a points deduction. 
The individuals were seen on CCTV in Torquay town centre fighting and provoking one another in the street. They were each convicted of public order offences and sentenced to the following:

Gavin Weeks, 32 of Newton Abbot, was convicted to Section 4 of the Public Order Act on May 24 and sentenced to a 12-month community order, 200 hours unpaid work, £199 court costs, and a handed a Football Banning Order for four years.

Kieran Phillips, 25 of Exeter, was convicted to Section 4 of the Public Order Act on May 24 and was sentenced to a 12-month community order, 150 hours unpaid work, £199 court costs, and a handed a Football Banning Order for four years.

Charlie Edwards, 23 of Torquay, was convicted to Section 4 of the Public Order Act on May 24 and sentenced to a 12-month community order, 180 hours unpaid work, £199 court costs, and handed a Football Banning Order for four years.

Jude Davis, 20 of Torquay, was convicted to Section 4 of the Public Order Act on May 24 and sentenced to a 12-month community order, 150 hours unpaid work, £199 court costs, and handed a Football Banning Order for four years.

Daniel White, 21 of Torquay, was convicted to Section 4 of the Public Order Act on May 24 and sentenced to a 12-month community order, 150 hours unpaid work, £199 court costs, and handed a Football Banning Order for three years.

Jack White, 20 of Torquay, was convicted to Section 4 of the Public Order Act on May 24 and sentenced to a 12-month community order, 150 hours unpaid work, £300 fine, £205 court costs, and handed a Football Banning Order for four years.

Bradley Scholes, 21 of Paignton, was convicted to Section 4 of the Public Order Act on May 24 and sentenced to a 12-month community order, 180 hours unpaid work, £199 court costs, and handed a Football Banning Order for four years.

Kieran Hughes, 23 of Paignton, was convicted to Section 5 of the Public Order Act on May 24 and sentenced to a 12-month community order, 150 hours unpaid work, £199 court costs, and handed a Football Banning Order for four years.

Danny Osborne, 30 of Exeter, was convicted to Section 5 of the Public Order Act on March 8 and fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and given a Football Banning Order for three years.

James Finch, 29 of Torquay, was convicted to Section 4 of the Public Order Act on May 24 and sentenced to a 12-month community order, 200 hours unpaid work, £199 court costs, and handed a Football Banning Order for four years.

Mark Thompson, 35 of Torquay, was convicted to Section 5 of the Public Order Act on August 1 and fined £400, £935 court costs, and was handed a Football Banning Order for three years.

Oliver Symons, 24 of Crediton, was convicted to Section 4 of the Public Order Act on October 27 and sentenced to a 12-month community order, 120 hours unpaid work, £889 court costs, and handed a Football Banning Order for three years.

The banning orders will prevent them from attending any regulated match in the UK for the duration of the order or travelling to locations where their club is playing on match days.  They will also be required to surrender their passports when England are scheduled to play matches overseas

United said in a statement: “TUAFC strongly condemns the behaviour of all named individuals receiving Football Banning Orders and fully supports the action taken by Devon and Cornwall Police in response to this matter."
The club revealed: "Over the course of the last few months, a number of incidents relating to supporter misconduct have been reported to the FA by match officials, and this has resulted in Extraordinary Incident Reports being lodged and action taken against the club. 
 “The club has been reminded by the FA of its responsibilities regarding supporter conduct and has been warned that any future reports may result in further disciplinary action, such as a fine and/or points deduction.”
PC Bruce, from the Devon and Cornwall Police Sporting Events Department, said: “We welcome the decision by the courts in all of these cases.  We are committed to working with all our football clubs and sports teams to ensure supporters can attend such events without fear for their safety.  
“It is important to recognise that the irresponsible actions of these men should not overshadow the good behaviour of the overwhelming majority of supporters who contribute to a terrific atmosphere both inside and outside our stadiums.”