CCTV shows the moment a junior boxing event turns into a “war zone” after an armed mob arrives in a convoy of vehicles. A group of almost 60 men arrived in 13 vehicles at the family event in Ryton, a village in Warwickshire on the border with Coventry.
They entered the venue and targeted a small group of men inside, leading to a mass brawl that lasted 20 minutes. The incident occurred at a sports centre in February 2020 and prompted a major investigation by multiple police forces, including Warwickshire Police, the Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police.
Warwickshire Police said on July 24 that 23 men had been sentenced, with some receiving a total of more than 48 years in prison. The violence flared on February 15, 2020, when a national amateur junior boxing championship was taking place at a sports centre in Ryton, BirminghamLive reports. After chairs were thrown and people were assaulted, 26 men returned with weapons from the boots of 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 crowd tried to grab them, Warwickshire Police said. The mass attack took place in front of 300 members of the public, including children attending the event and their families.
The venue was badly damaged and the event was halted. One victim was forced to the ground and kicked, punched and stabbed, causing injuries to his face that required stitches.
Warwickshire Police said more than 30 suspects had been identified, mainly from the London and Buckinghamshire areas. The Crown Prosecution Service later allowed 29 men to face charges of violent disorder, with some also facing charges of assault occasioning grievous bodily harm and a range of weapons offences.
A series of trials over the past year have yielded dozens of convictions, culminating in a series of sentencing hearings this month. Detective Inspector Middleton said: “This was a brazen, outrageous incident which left people injured and would have caused enormous distress to hundreds of members of the public who had simply come to a venue to enjoy a sporting event.”
“Why any member of this group thought they could get away with turning a public place into a war zone is beyond me and the rest of the team who worked on this investigation.”
“This was a huge undertaking and I am pleased with the sentences imposed. Anyone involved in this ridiculous, dangerous behaviour now has time, whether it is 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. Act like this in our communities and we will catch up with you.”
23 men convicted
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Larry McCarthy, 30, of Colne Park Caravan Site, West Drayton, Greater London, was sentenced to 40 months in prison after pleading guilty to violent disorder, assault and possession of a knife.
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Anthony McDonagh, 29, of Colne Park Caravan Site, West Drayton, Greater London, was sentenced to 44 months in prison after pleading guilty to violent disorder, assault and possession of a knife.
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Declan McDonagh, 23, of Colne Park Caravan Site, West Drayton, Greater London, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to violent disorder, assault and possession of an offensive weapon.
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William McDonagh, 36, of Pendles Paddock, Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire, was sentenced to 42 months in prison after pleading guilty to violent disorder, assault and possession of a knife.
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Denis Murphy, 43, of Golborne Road, London, was sentenced to 28 months in prison after pleading guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon.
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Francis O’Donnell, 24, of Lynton Close, London, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of a knife. He was sentenced to 33 months in prison.
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Simon G. O’Donnell Snr, 43, of Stable Way, London, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. He was sentenced to 30 months in prison.
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Simon O’Donnell Jnr, 22, of Stable Way, London, was sentenced to 30 months in prison after pleading guilty to violent disorder.
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Charles Ward, 47, of Pendles Paddock, Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire, was sentenced to 25 months in prison after pleading guilty to violent disorder and possession of a knife. He had already served five months on remand.
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Patrick Corcoran, 35, of Pendles Paddock, Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. He was sentenced to 27 months in prison.
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Martin J. McDonagh, 35, of Burnhill Close, London, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and was sentenced to 29 months in prison.
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Michael O’Donnell, aged 26, of Hadrian Way, Staines-upon-Thames, was found guilty of violent disorder and possession of a knife. He was sentenced in absentia to four years in prison.
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Richard O’Donnell, aged 33, of Stable Way, London, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. He was sentenced to 28 months in prison.
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Edward McDonagh, 35, of Colne Park Caravan Site, West Drayton, Greater London, was sentenced to 44 months in prison after pleading guilty to violent disorder, assault and two counts of possession of an offensive weapon.
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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 knife. He was sentenced to 40 months in prison.
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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 in prison.
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Anthony T. O’Donnell, 29, of Middle Ground, Wheatley, Oxfordshire, was sentenced to 32 months in prison after being found guilty of violent disorder after trial.
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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
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Simon G O’Donnell, aged 36, of Stable Way, London, pleaded guilty to breaching section 4 of the Public Order Act in relation to threatening words and behaviour. He was given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for one year, plus 100 hours’ unpaid work.
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Jason O’Donnell, aged 35, of Stable Way, London, pleaded guilty to breaching section 4 of the Public Order Act in relation to threatening words and behaviour. He was sentenced to three months in prison suspended for one year and 100 hours’ unpaid work.
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Daniel North, 37, of Bramley Road, London, pleaded guilty to breaching section 4 of the Public Order Act in relation to threatening words and behaviour. He was given a three-month prison sentence, suspended for one year, plus 80 hours’ unpaid work.
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Simon C. O’Donnell, 37, of Stable Way, London, pleaded guilty to breaching section 4 of the Public Order Act in relation to threatening words and behaviour. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 70 hours’ unpaid work.
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Brian O’Donnell, aged 46, of Stable Way, London, pleaded guilty to breaching section 4 of the Public Order Act in relation to threatening words and behaviour. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order and 80 hours’ unpaid work.