'Hardcore' thugs given football banning orders for hurling bottles at police officers during Leeds United fans' Premier League promotion celebrations in Millennium Square
Two men who hurled bottles at police officers during Leeds United fans' Premier League promotion celebrations in Millunnium Square have been given football banning orders.
James Hamer and Arun Wison were handed suspended prison sentences over their behaviour in which a 'hardcore' of people marred the city's celebrations after winning the English Football League.
A judge described the pair's behaviour as "stupid, infantile and dangerous."
Leeds Crown Court heard Hamer and Wilson were among the crowds celebrating as Leeds played the last game of the season against Derby County on July 19 last year.
The court heard the event was "mostly good-natured" and the majority of people who attended the celebrations dispersed when required to do so by police.
Kristina Goodwin, prosecuting, said a "hardcore" of people remained and took exception to police moving people on.
The defendants were among a group of people caught on camera hurling bottling at police officers.
Both men were arrested at the scene.
Hamer, 27, and Wilson, 28, both pleaded guilty to affray.
Probation officer Mick Berry said Hamer had displayed a "limited understanding" about his behaviour when he was interviewed about the incident.
Hamer described being 'nine' on a scale of one to ten in terms of drunkenness.
Mr Berry said Wilson said he felt he "deserved to be punished" when interviewed about the offending.
Hamer was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
He was ordered to do 250 hours of unpaid work, complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and pay £800 court costs.
Wilson was given an eight-month sentence, suspended for two years.
Both defendants were made the subject of football banning orders for ten years.
Judge Robin Mairs said: "Both of you picked up bottles and fired them as hard as you could at officers.
"Thankfully officers nearby took you to the ground and arrested you at the scene.
"This was very clearly football related violence.
"That is an aggravating feature.
"It was city centre mob violence at the time of a pandemic when most gatherings were forbidden.
"It was stupid, infantile and dangerous.
"They were actions that will not be tolerated by the courts in this city."