A Rangers fan jailed in the aftermath of the Manchester riots has failed in a cheeky bid to have his twelve month sentence reduced.
Lawyers for 44 year old James Bell from Cumbernauld had argued that the sentence was too severe. They claimed that at 5ft tall and just 8st 7lb he did not present an intimidating figure. But his case was thrown out at London’s Criminal Appeal Court.
Bell was jailed and also given a six year football banning order after pleading guilty to violent disorder at Manchester Crown Court in November this year. He was at the heart of the riots that broke out around Rangers defeat in the 2008 UEFA Cup final.
At his initial trial Rangers fan Bell had pleaded guilty on the basis of admitting to throwing a bottle at police after he had been knocked over in a shield charge. But the sentencing judge saw CCTV footage of Bell throwing at least four missiles at police.
Judge Martin Stephens QC said that the trial judge had been right to impose the twelve month sentence, adding that Bell was, “at the forefront of the confrontation”.
Stephens also commented that, “The violence was truly terrifying and appalling, for members of the public as well as for the police. It was described as the worst night of violence and destruction in the city centre of Manchester since the Blitz.”
There are many different legal strategies routinely used to try to have sentences reduced, but this is a new one on me. Still, the judge saw through the short defence in the end.
So, as far as the law is concerned, it would appear that size really doesn’t matter.
Wee people not a threat?
Have you not seen WAGBO?
let the scum rot in hell..
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