Footballer jailed for glassing attack

Mar 6 2008 by Jule Wilson, The Journal

A FORMER professional footballer is today beginning a 12-month jail sentence after scarring a team-mate for life by glassing him in the face.

Anthony Clark, 23, had played for Manchester United before a serious spinal injury while training with Liverpool and England goalkeeping legend Ray Clemence ended his career prematurely, Newcastle Crown Court was told yesterday.

Paul Caulfield, prosecuting, told the court that Clark, who yesterday admitted unlawfully wounding Sage FC team-mate Andrew Haddon, had managed the condition by consuming an excessive amount of alcohol along with the prescription painkiller dyhydracodiene – an opiate.

Mr Caulfield told the court that the amount of the drug he had taken in the two-hour period before the attack, on April 15 last year, was three times the dose recommended for a full 24-hour day. He had also washed the drug down with a substantial amount of alcohol as he socialised with team-mates in the Spy bar, Jesmond, Newcastle.

Mr Caulfield said that Clark, a community development officer who coached football at Newcastle College, had been playing in goal during the non-league match that Sunday and had conceded three goals before being replaced in goal by Mr Haddon.

He said: “After the game, which ended 3-0, it was customary for the team to have a drink together. The atmosphere was described by witnesses as good humoured and healthy banter.”

Mr Caulfield said that Clark, of Worstall Drive, Quayside, Gateshead, became increasingly irate at the “mickey-taking” he was receiving, in particular from Mr Haddon, and began muttering threats of violence to other members of the team.

He also sent a text message from his mobile phone to a fellow player which said: “I’m really going to smash his teeth in, ha ha.”

Mr Caulfield continued: “When another comment was made by Mr Haddon, it would appear it was the straw that broke the camel’s back.”

Recorder Andrew Kershaw heard that Clark poured almost a full pint of lager over his victim before hitting him in the face with the glass, which smashed on impact.

He then dragged Mr Haddon to the floor in a headlock before punching him several times in the face.

He was dragged off by other members of the team.

Mr Haddon’s injury was a three centimetre gash to his left temple, close to the eye which required steri-strips.

Carl Gumsley, for Clark, said his client had demonstrated genuine remorse since the attack by seeking counselling and physiotherapy, and reducing his alcohol and medication intake.