Sports

Men followed two visiting Coventry fans after Boro’s play-off defeat

The victim had been at the Riverside Stadium to watch Coventry City FC play Middlesbrough FC in the Championship play-off semi-final, second leg, on Wednesday May 17, 2023.

Coventry won the game, and the tie, 1-0, to progress to the Wembley final against Luton Town, at Middlesbrough’s expense.

But after leaving the ground, the victim, who was with his brother, was approached by three males who followed him to Corporation Road.

Teesside Crown Court heard that he was split from his sibling before being repeatedly punched and kicked, causing him to fall to the ground, where he was kneed in the head.

(Image: The Northern Echo) Following the attack, he was put in the recovery position by a passer-by and taken to the town’s James Cook University Hospital.

The casualty was left with swelling and bleeding on the brain, plus facial injuries, which required extensive hospital treatment

He was left with subsequent severe headaches.

Following a review of town centre CCTV two men were arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and were later charged by Middlesbrough CID officers.

The pair, both aged 20, were sentenced for the attack at Teesside Crown Court on Friday (June 6).

A third suspect did not get involved in the assault.

Ben Thurlwell, of Shandon Park in Marton, and Nathan Najeeb, of Cheltenham Close, both Middlesbrough, were each sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years.

They were each ordered to pay £7,500 compensation to the victim.

Both will attend an alcohol management course and must complete 200 hours’ unpaid work.

They were both also banned from attending football matches for five years.

(Image: The Northern Echo) Speaking after the hearing, PC Chris Hilton said: “This was a disgraceful, unprovoked attack on a man who had been on a day out to enjoy a football match.