FIFTEEN Swindon Town fans have been banned from attending their team’s matches after they appeared in court in connection with an attack on a coach carrying Bradford City away fans.
The supporters were allegedly involved in the violent disorder after the conclusion of Swindon's 3-1 defeat by City on October 23, 2021.
The men, aged between 18 and 36 and all from Swindon or Wantage, are accused of using or threatening unlawful violence when present together with others, and the conduct taken together would cause a person present at the scene to fear for his or her safety.
In the incident, a number of men appear to chase a coach carrying Bradford fans through streets, and throw objects in its direction.
VIDEO: Swindon Town fans chase Bradford City fan bus
The fifteen people charged with violent disorder, who appeared before Swindon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (June 15), are:
- Ben Stephen Allen, age 18, of Sandhill, Shrivenham.
- Archie Bowman, age 20, of Elgar Close, Swindon.
- Connor Carpenter, age 21, of Akers Way, Moredon, Swindon.
- Dale Ashley Clark, age 27, of Barrowby Gate, Kingsdown, Swindon.
- Steven Damien Ellis, age 36, of Stockton Road, Penhill, Swindon.
- Adam Farmer, age 23, of Foliat Drive, Wantage, Oxfordshire.
- James John Farmer, age 25, of Wheeler Avenue, Stratton, Swindon.
- Dean Haddrell, age 19, of Stubsmead, Eldene, Swindon.
- Matthew James Hams, age 32, of Redcliffe Street, Swindon.
- Lewis Jarvis, age 18, of St Andrews Green, Covingham, Swindon.
- Ashley James Peter Northmore, age 28, of Odstock Road, Penhill, Swindon.
- Shannon Patrick Ellis Power, age 33, of Purley Avenue, Swindon.
- Darren Roberts, age 19, of Redhouse Way, Swindon.
- Callum Joshua Teal, age 18, of Bourne Road, Moredon, Swindon.
- Corey Joe Wise, age 19, of West View, Nythe, Swindon.
They appeared before the justices on Wednesday in four batches, for short hearings where their pleas were confirmed.
Roberts, Teal, and Allen did not indicate a plea, while all other defendants pleaded not guilty to one count of violent disorder.
Magistrates, led by chairman Jane Flew, declined jurisdiction, citing the number of defendants and complicated legal arguments that would be best suited at the Crown Court.
Prosecutor Natalie Cheesman confirmed all defendants were on conditional bail, which bans them from going into an area close to the County Ground three hours before Swindon Town games, during the match and two hours after it finishes.
The defendants must not enter any town or city that Swindon Town, or the England national team, are playing in on that day. When those teams are playing in London, they must not enter a five mile radius of the stadium.
The men will now appear for a plea hearing at Swindon Crown Court on July 15.
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