Elland Road 'felt like a war zone' during violent disorder after Leeds United's centenary match v Birmingham City, Leeds Crown Court told

City supporter Michael Flint - a 48-year-old former Royal Navy officer with an exemplary service record - was handed a suspended prison sentence at Leeds Crown Court after he admitted violent disorder.

Callum Mahon - a 20-year-old teaching assistant working with children with additional needs - was locked up for ten months in a young offender institution after he admitted violent disorder.

Kevin Hill, 33, who also admitted violent disorder, was jailed for ten months.

The trio were the first to be sentenced after police charged a total of 26 men and two youths with violent disorder following a series of public appeals for information.

Leeds Crown Court heard disorder erupted inside the stadium after the final whistle on Saturday, October 19, before continuing outside on Elland Road after the match.

Birmingham City fans attacked stewards and police in the stadium during the worst violence seen at Elland Road for many years.

Carmel Pearson, prosecuting, said police feared they would be overwhelmed and stewards feared for their safety.

One male steward suffered a head and back injury after being knocked to the ground and punched and kicked by Birmingham City supporters.

A female steward had her head stamped on.

Miss Pearson said Ian Crawford, who at the time was Leeds United operations director, said in a statement “They were demonstrating a real hatred towards the stewards and police who were present, and I would say this is the worst violence I have seen in over ten years.”

Mr Crawford suffered an injury to his eye and had to have an operation on his eyelid.

Miss Pearson said one steward told police: "It felt like a war zone. I was concerned for my own safety, my colleagues and also the police officers.”

Leeds United's 100 year anniversary celebrations were planned at the end of the match and a significant number of Birmingham City fans remained in the stadium after the final whistle.

Both sets of supporters were chanting at each other before a Birmingham City fan ran on to the pitch and coins were thrown between both sets of supporters.

Miss Pearson said Michael Flint was among Birmingham City fans who surged into an area of the stadium left empty to keep opposing fans at a distance.

Some Birmingham City fans later got on to Elland Road and bottles and traffic cones were thrown during confrontations with Leeds United fans.

Miss Pearson said Callum Mahon, of Pleck Walk, Birmingham, was seen smashing up a chair and throwing items towards stewards and police.

Kristian Cavanagh, mitigating for Mahon, said he works as a teaching assistant for children with challenging behaviour.

Mr Cavanagh said Mahon became involved after he reported racist abuse at the ground to a steward, who did not take any action.

Mahon was handed a ten month detention and training order and a six year football banning order.

Kevin Hill, aged 33, of Ascot Gardens, Worsley, West Midlands, was seen on CCTV verbally abusing Leeds fans and throwing coins at police and stewards.

Eddison Flint, mitigating for Hill, said his client has shown genuine remorse and shame

Hill, who admitted violent disorder, was jailed for ten months and handed a six year football banning order

The court heard Michael Flint was seen on CCTV gesturing to other Birmingham City fans on Elland Road to follow him.

The court was told Flint, of Costello Drive, Castle Bromwich, Solihull, had served in the Royal Navy and had an exemplary service record

Giles Grant, mitigating, said Flint had served in Bosnia and Libya and had achieved the rank of petty officer.

Mr Grant said Flint was not involved in any attacks or throwing of missiles, adding: "There are large parts of the footage where he really isn't doing anything compared to those around him."

Judge Stubbs handed Flint a ten month prison sentence, suspended for two years plus 120 hours of unpaid work.

Flint was also made the subject of a four year football banning order.

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Laura Collins