Warwickshire Police released footage of the chaos at the sports centre in Ryton, just outside Coventry, in which men are seen attacking cars and throwing chairs at people
Warwickshire Police released footage of the chaos at the sports centre in Ryton, just outside Coventry, in which men are seen throwing chairs at people.
Some of the 26 men involved in the violence are seen running back to their vehicles to arm themselves with pickaxe handles, axes, knives, and spades.
Scenes from the footage of the brawl released by police
Some of them start smashing windscreens of cars in the car park while others run inside the building where they attack a smaller group of men cornered in the bar area.
One victim falls to the ground where he is kicked, punched, and slashed in the face with a blade.
The men then flee the building before speeding away in their cars.
Chaos breaks out inside the venue
However, after a massive police investigation by three separate forces and prosecution over a four-year period, 23 of those involved have been handed down sentences totaling 48 years.
The violence broke out after a group of 60 men arrived at the venue in a convoy of 13 cars and 4x4s on February 15, 2020.
Scenes from inside the boxing venue
They stormed the venue where they targeted a smaller group of men inside, while 300 people including families and young competitors, were forced to run for cover.
The boxing tournament was cancelled and thousands of pounds of damage was caused to the sports centre.
Officers from Warwickshire Police, Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police joined forces and accessed CCTV and mobile phone footage to successfully identify some 30 suspects, largely from the London and Buckinghamshire area.
A total of 29 men were charged with charges including violent disorder, grievous bodily harm and weapons offences and 23 were jailed for combined total of 48 years at Warwick Crown Court on July 18.
Detective Constable Middleton, of Warwickshire Police, said the “brazen and outrageous incident” 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,” he said, according to the Daily Mail.
“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.”
Detective Constable Middleton added: “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.”
Many of the convicted men have both addresses in Ireland and in the UK.
From Top from Left: Anthony O’Donnell, Declan McDonagh, Francis O’Donnell, Larry McCarthy, Anthony McDonagh, Denis Murphy, Martin McDonagh, Charlie Ward, Richard O’Donnell,
Bottom Row from left: Simon G. O’Donnell, Christopher Edward McDonagh, Martin G McDonagh, Michael O’Donnell, Patrick Corcoran, Simon O’Donnell, Stephen P McDonagh, William McDonagh
Larry McCarthy, 30, was jailed for 40 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder, assault and possession of a knife. Anthony McDonagh, 29, was jailed for 44 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder, assault and possession of a knife.
Declan McDonagh, 23, was jailed for three years after pleading guilty to violent disorder, assault and possession of an offensive weapon.
William McDonagh, 36, was jailed for 42 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder, assault and possession of knife.
Denis Murphy, 43, 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, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. He was jailed for 30 months.
Simon O’Donnell Jnr, 22, was jailed for 30 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder.
Charles Ward, 47, 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 pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. He was jailed for 27 months.
Martin J. McDonagh, 35 pleaded guilty to violent disorder. He was jailed for 29 months.
Michael O’Donnell, 26 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 pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. He was jailed for 28 months.
Edward McDonagh, 35, 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 , 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 pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. He was sentenced to 30 months imprisonment.
Anthony T. O’Donnell, 29, 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.