EXCLUSIVE :West Ham football Hooligans supporters calls judge ‘scumbag’ at riot sentencing

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Jack Wood, 29, of Lakeside, Rainham, pleaded guilty to one count of violent disorder at Inner London Crown Court in Southwark on Friday, September 6.

Prosecutors said he “used or threatened to engage in unlawful behaviour” near Downing Street in Westminster on July 31.

But when he was banned for 13 months, fans chanted “witch hunt” and “political” from the stands.

“Damn bastards, how many of you there are,” shouted one.

Another cried, “They should all be put to death for treason.”

Judge Benedict Kelleher imposed the sentence after viewing video footage of Wood’s involvement in the violent disturbance since his arrest.

As one man pressed against the police line, the judge said Wood could be seen pushing after him.

“You can be seen moving towards the [police] line by yourself,” the judge said.

“Then they see and hear you aggressively yelling at the police in general while others do the same.”

Prosecutor Gregor McKinley told Judge Kelleher that Wood had a string of previous convictions.

In 2020, he was convicted of a public order offense under Article 5 for shouting homophobic slurs at a West Ham match and received a three-year ban from football.

He breached that order in February 2023, when he was also caught in possession of a missile, and again in September 2023.

Meanwhile, he was also convicted of drug possession.

Judge Kelleher described Wood as “someone with a history of involvement in disorder or potential disorder”, which he described as an “aggravating characteristic”.

Defense lawyer James Manning said his client had a “minor or marginal role with a low level of involvement” that “stemmed from intent”.

He claimed that Wood had gone to buy meat and encountered the demonstration on his way home.

Judge Kelleher said it was not the “strongest point” as Wood lived in Rainham and the disturbance took place outside Downing Street. 

Manning said he was merely relaying his client’s instructions.

He added that video footage showed Wood was “very compliant” and “very cooperative with police” when he was arrested at the scene.

“You should go home,” Wood pleaded with officers when he was arrested.

Arrested again on August 9, he gave a no-comment interview and pleaded not guilty in a misdemeanor court.

Manning claimed that by changing his guilty plea at Crown Court, he “showed his remorse and regret and asked me to let you know that he regrets his involvement.”

He said Wood was the sole carer for his mother, who has fibromyalgia, and his uncle.

Judge Kelleher said Wood would have been jailed for 18 months if convicted by the jury, but reduced the sentence to 13 months based on his plea.

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