CCTV shows the moment a junior boxing event descended into a “warzone” after an armed mob arrived in a convoy of vehicles. A group of nearly 60 men turned up in 13 vehicles to the family event in Ryton, a Warwickshire village on the border of Coventry.
They entered the venue and targeted a small group of men inside, initiating a mass brawl that lasted for 20 minutes. The trouble took place at a sports centre in February 2020 and prompted a major investigation from multiple police forces, including Warwickshire Police, Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police.
The Warwickshire force said on July 24 that 23 men were sentenced, with some jailed for a total of more than 48 years. The violence flared on February 15 2020 as a national amateur junior boxing championship was taking place at a sports centre at Ryton, BirminghamLive reports. After chairs were thrown and people attacked, 26 men returned armed with weapons from the boots of the vehicles, including pickaxe handles, axes, knives, and spades.
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Members of a smaller group were cornered in a bar, where the large mob tried to get to them, said Warwickshire Police. The mass attack unfolded in front of 300 members of the public, which included children competing in the event and and their families.
The venue was badly damaged and the event brought to a halt. One victim was forced to the ground and kicked, punched, and slashed with a blade, leaving him with injuries that required stitches to his face.
Warwickshire Police said more than 30 suspects were identified, largely from the London and Buckinghamshire area. The Crown Prosecution Service later authorised 29 men to be charged with violent disorder, with some also charged additionally with assault leading to grievous bodily harm and an array of weapons offences.
A series of trials throughout last year saw scores of convictions, culminating in a series of sentencings throughout this month. Detective Constable Middleton said: “This was a brazen, outrageous incident that saw people injured and would have caused huge distress to hundreds of members of the public who had simply attended a venue to enjoy a sporting event.”
“Why any member of this group thought they would get away with turning a public venue into a warzone is beyond both me and the rest of the team who took part in this investigation.”
“This has been a huge undertaking and I welcome the sentences handed out. All those involved in this ridiculous, dangerous behaviour now have plenty of time whether it be through doing unpaid work or sitting in a prison cell to reflect on their actions.”
“The message is clear there is no safety in numbers for people involved in violent disorder. Behave like this in our communities, and we’ll be catching up with you.”
23 men convicted
Larry McCarthy, 30, of Colne Park Caravan Site, West Drayton, Greater London was jailed for 40 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder, assault and possession of a knife.
Anthony McDonagh, 29, of Colne Park Caravan Site, West Drayton, Greater London was jailed for 44 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder, assault and possession of a knife.
Declan McDonagh, 23, of Colne Park Caravan Site, West Drayton, Greater London was jailed for three years after pleading guilty to violent disorder, assault and possession of an offensive weapon.
William McDonagh, 36, of Pendles Paddock, Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire was jailed for 42 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder, assault and possession of knife.
Denis Murphy, 43, of Golborne Road, London was jailed for 28 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon.
Francis O’Donnell, 24 of Lynton Close, London, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and to possession of a bladed article. He was jailed for 33 months.
Simon G. O’Donnell Snr, 43, of Stable Way, London pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. He was jailed for 30 months.
Simon O’Donnell Jnr, 22, of Stable Way, London was jailed for 30 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder.
Charles Ward, 47, of Pendles Paddock, Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire was jailed for 25 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder and possession of a knife, he had already served 5 months on remand.
Patrick Corcoran, 35 of Pendles Paddock, Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. He was jailed for 27 months.
Martin J. McDonagh, 35 of Burnhill Close, London, pleaded guilty to violent disorder. He was jailed for 29 months.
Michael O’Donnell, 26 of Hadrian Way, Staines-upon-Thames, was found guilty of violent disorder and possession of a bladed article. He was sentenced in his absence to four years imprisonment.
Richard O’Donnell, 33 of Stable Way, London, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. He was jailed for 28 months.
Edward McDonagh, 35, of Colne Park Caravan Site, West Drayton, Greater London was jailed for 44 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder, assault and two counts of possession of an offensive weapon.
Martin G. McDonagh, 41 of Colne Park Caravan Site, West Drayton, Greater London, pleaded guilty to violent disorder, possession of an offensive weapon, and possession of a bladed article. He was jailed for 40 months.
Steven McDonagh, 37 of Colne Park Caravan Site, West Drayton, Greater London, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. He was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment.
Anthony T. O’Donnell, 29, of Middle Ground, Wheatley, Oxfordshire was jailed for 32 months after being found guilty of violent disorder after trial.
Anthony O’Donnell, 34, of Old Maidstone Road, Sidcup, Kent was given a 22-month prison sentence suspended for two years after pleading guilty to violent disorder
Simon G. O’Donnell, 36 of Stable Way, London, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4 of the Public Order Act concerning threatening words and behaviour. He has been given a sentence of four months imprisonment, suspended for one year, along with 100 hours of unpaid work.
Jason O’Donnell, 35 of Stable Way, London, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4 of the Public Order Act concerning threatening words and behaviour. He was sentenced to three months imprisonment suspended for one year, and 100 hours of unpaid work.
Daniel North, 37 of Bramley Road, London, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4 of the Public Order Act concerning threatening words and behaviour. He has been given a sentence of three months imprisonment, suspended for one year, along with 80 hours of unpaid work
Simon C. O’Donnell, 37, of Stable Way, London pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4 of the Public Order Act concerning threatening words and behaviour. He has been sentenced to a 12-month community order with 70 hours of unpaid work.
Brian O’Donnell, 46 of Stable Way, London, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4 of the Public Order Act concerning threatening words and behaviour. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order and 80 hours of unpaid work.
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