Kilworthfox Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 Link 'OUTSTANDING' PC SPARED JAIL AFTER FOOTBALL ASSAULT BY STAFF REPORTER ?????who????? 10:30 - 19 August 2008 A police constable convicted of injuring an opponent during a hotly-contested soccer game has been spared prison because of his "outstanding" 24 years in uniform. Ian Leith was said to have suffered a momentary loss of temper during a National Police Cup match with West Mercia when he elbowed Detective Constable Andrew Mitchell in the face, breaking his cheek. Leith, 43, of Braunstone police station, who denied assault causing actual bodily harm, was given a two-year community order with a commitment of 150 hours unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £2,500 towards prosecution costs, estimated at £4,160. At Worcester Crown Court yesterday, Judge Andrew Geddes said that although the assault was not premeditated, it was aggravated by the fact that the Leicestershire police team were losing 3-0 in their cup match at Bromsgrove on December 5, 2006. Leith was sent off and his team went on to lose 6-0. The judge added that he was not sending Leith to prison because of his "exemplary" record in his career. His "Achilles heel'' was that as soon as he stepped on to a football pitch he had a tendency to lose his temper. The injury, which Leith claimed was accidental, resulted in Dc Mitchell having a titanium plate inserted in his cheek because bones had fragmented. It is likely that a civil claim for compensation will follow. Leith's barrister, Philip Gibbs, said that the conviction would result in the officer appearing before a disciplinary board in September or October. His career could be in the balance. However, the judge intervened to say that he had expressed the wish that Leith did not lose his job. "He is an outstanding police officer, a valuable servant to the community and we should not lose him," he said. Mr Gibbs said there had been hundreds of letters from colleagues and the public in support of Pc Leith. He had been found guilty of delivering one blow during a momentary loss of temper. There had been no animosity between the teams. The judge said Leith had been convicted on overwhelming evidence and he should accept the jury's verdict at the end of a five-day trial. He also suggested that Leith should not carry on playing football. Leith made no comment after the case, but Mr Gibbs said that it was likely that he would not continue to play.
Corky Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 Nice to see the police setting a fine example once again
morris1234 Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 what an idiot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...................................................... he should have made sure nobody was looking first!!!!!!!!
DB11 Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 Wth. Why should it even have gone to court? It was an elbow. He was sent off; end of story. So every elbow you see in the Premiership results in a court hearing? Every thing deemed to be Violent Conduct means the player must go to Court? I don't think so.
hairy Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 A 5 day trial. Found guilty, then let off! What a waste of money. Surprised it even got to court.
Sparky Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 Wth. Why should it even have gone to court?It was an elbow. He was sent off; end of story. So every elbow you see in the Premiership results in a court hearing? Every thing deemed to be Violent Conduct means the player must go to Court? I don't think so. This is happening more and more nowadays , there is a company in WSC magazine that will take your case on if you have suffered a serious injury that resulted in a red card
Asha Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 As someone who gets VERY competitive and loses his temper easily...I think it's right that this man's career, life etc should not be chucked because of one blip. Yes, it was stupid. But cops have done worse and got away with it. I actually agree with what DB11 said.
The Stig Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 Wth. Why should it even have gone to court?It was an elbow. He was sent off; end of story. So every elbow you see in the Premiership results in a court hearing? Every thing deemed to be Violent Conduct means the player must go to Court? I don't think so. No he wasn't.
Sparky Posted 19 August 2008 Posted 19 August 2008 Link'OUTSTANDING' PC SPARED JAIL AFTER FOOTBALL ASSAULT BY STAFF REPORTER ?????who????? 10:30 - 19 August 2008 A police constable convicted of injuring an opponent during a hotly-contested soccer game has been spared prison because of his "outstanding" 24 years in uniform. Ian Leith was said to have suffered a momentary loss of temper during a National Police Cup match with West Mercia when he elbowed Detective Constable Andrew Mitchell in the face, breaking his cheek. Leith, 43, of Braunstone police station, who denied assault causing actual bodily harm, was given a two-year community order with a commitment of 150 hours unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £2,500 towards prosecution costs, estimated at £4,160. At Worcester Crown Court yesterday, Judge Andrew Geddes said that although the assault was not premeditated, it was aggravated by the fact that the Leicestershire police team were losing 3-0 in their cup match at Bromsgrove on December 5, 2006. Leith was sent off and his team went on to lose 6-0. The judge added that he was not sending Leith to prison because of his "exemplary" record in his career. His "Achilles heel'' was that as soon as he stepped on to a football pitch he had a tendency to lose his temper. The injury, which Leith claimed was accidental, resulted in Dc Mitchell having a titanium plate inserted in his cheek because bones had fragmented. It is likely that a civil claim for compensation will follow. Leith's barrister, Philip Gibbs, said that the conviction would result in the officer appearing before a disciplinary board in September or October. His career could be in the balance. However, the judge intervened to say that he had expressed the wish that Leith did not lose his job. "He is an outstanding police officer, a valuable servant to the community and we should not lose him," he said. Mr Gibbs said there had been hundreds of letters from colleagues and the public in support of Pc Leith. He had been found guilty of delivering one blow during a momentary loss of temper. There had been no animosity between the teams. The judge said Leith had been convicted on overwhelming evidence and he should accept the jury's verdict at the end of a five-day trial. He also suggested that Leith should not carry on playing football. Leith made no comment after the case, but Mr Gibbs said that it was likely that he would not continue to play. No he wasn't.
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