Eight men have been given suspended prison sentences and football banning orders after violent disorder broke out ahead of a Reading FC and Oxford United match in December 2023.
The sentences were handed down at Reading Crown Court on Friday, 5 December, following a Thames Valley Police investigation into confrontations that took place in St Mary’s Butts, Friar Street and Station Approach at about 15:40 GMT on 12 December last year.
The court heard that a group of individuals gathered in several locations in Reading town centre before engaging in violent disorder.
Those sentenced were:
Ashton Hastie, 36, of Abingdon — one year and seven months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, plus 150 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days.
Ryan Ellaway, 36, of Wantage — one year and two months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 15 RAR days and 12 mental health treatment sessions.
James Barnes, 37, of Wantage — one year and nine months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, alongside a 90-day alcohol monitoring requirement, 120 hours unpaid work and eight RAR days.
Colin Whiteley, 58, of Oxford — one year’s imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, plus 20 RAR days, a 12-month alcohol treatment requirement and 80 hours unpaid work.
Ben Britter, 50, of Thatcham — one year and nine months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and 180 hours unpaid work.
Matthew Hinge, 35, of Wokingham — one year and nine months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 20 RAR days and 150 hours unpaid work.
Daniel Taylor, 34, of Reading — two years’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, plus 10 RAR days and 180 hours unpaid work.
Craig Green, 35, of Carterton — one year and eight months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 15 RAR days and 180 hours unpaid work.
All eight men were also issued three-year Football Banning Orders and must each pay a £187 victim surcharge. Green, Whiteley and Ellaway were ordered to pay £100 in costs, while the remaining five defendants must pay £250.
Superintendent Adrian Hall, Head of Operations at Thames Valley Police, said the force would continue working with football clubs to ensure matches remain safe.
“This behaviour has absolutely no place in football, and we will not tolerate it,” he said.
“While the overwhelming majority of fans attend matches peacefully, a small minority choose violence and disruption. Football Banning Orders carry tough conditions, including restrictions on attending matches in the UK and abroad and requiring offenders to surrender their passports when England play overseas.”
He added that police would “continue to work in conjunction with clubs to make football matches a hostile place for all football-related offences.”
