Barrow defender James Cotterill was sentenced to four months in prison today for smashing a rival player's jaw during an FA Cup match.
It is thought to be the first time in recent history a football player has
been jailed in England for an offence on the pitch.
Cotterill, 24, pleaded guilty to punching Bristol Rovers striker Sean Rigg,
causing him grievous bodily harm during a first-round match on November 11.
Half-an-hour into the 'highly charged' game Cotterill fractured Mr Rigg's
jaw in two places with a left-hook, Preston Crown Court heard.
It must be held together with metal plates for the rest of his life.
Television cameras captured the off-the-ball assault, which was shown that
evening to millions of viewers on the BBC's Match of the Day programme.
Passing sentence, Judge Robert Brown said: 'The courts have for a long time
now made it absolutely clear that this sort of violence on the field of play
cannot and will not be tolerated.
'And for this kind of off-the-ball incident a custodial sentence is
inevitable.'
Judge Brown said he took into account Cotterill's decision to plead guilty at
the first opportunity, the remorse he had expressed for the assault and his
previous good record on the pitch, when passing sentence.
He said: 'I accept that this incident was completely out of character as far
as you are concerned.'
The defender made no reaction as he was sent down.
His mother and a young female friend or family member, who were in the public
gallery, both started crying after the sentence was read out.
The only other football player in living memory to be jailed for an assault
during a match was Scottish player Duncan Ferguson in 1995.
Ferguson, who was playing for Rangers, headbutted Raith Rovers' John McStay
during a game in 1994.
He was sentenced to three months in prison.
The court heard married father of one Cotterill, who now lives in Barnsley,
was very remorseful for his actions.
His defence counsel, Peter Kennedy, said: 'He is thoroughly ashamed for his
family, former club and his profession.'
Kennedy described the punch as 'a moment of folly' that took place in 'the
heat of the moment'.
Rigg, who was 18 at the time he was attacked, had to drink through a straw and
eat with a teaspoon after the blow.
Cotterill resigned from Barrow Football Club shortly afterwards and wrote
personal letters to Rigg and Bristol Rovers apologising for his behaviour.
The off-the-ball assault was not seen by the referee or any other players.
Cotterill hit Rigg from behind so the striker had no idea what had happened to
him.
Kennedy said Cotterill told police after his arrest on November 20 that
earlier in the game Sean Rigg had 'barged into him', catching him on the back
and the foot.
He said: 'The defendant thought this was about to recur so he said he struck
out and punched him to get him away.'
But Cotterill added that he knew his behaviour was 'unacceptable' and told
officers he regretted it.
The FA suspended Cotterill from any football-related activities after the
match at Barrow's Holker Street ground.
The ban lasts until March 1 this year.
Rigg has now 'fully recovered' from his injuries and is back playing for
Bristol Rovers' first team, the court heard.
Cotterill, who has been working as an apprentice table jointer while he sees
out his suspension, was ordered to pay £270 costs.
Judge Brown was told he would lose his job if he was jailed for more than 20
working days.
The Football Association said it did not wish to comment on Cotterill's
sentence.
A spokesman said: 'He's been dealt with under football rules and regulations
and we wouldn't want to comment on a decision by another body.'
