Steward beaten unconscious by City fans - court

A Bradford City fan has avoided jail after beating up a steward when he was told to leave a match.

Devon Pringle, 32, attacked a steward at Hartlepool United's ground Victoria Park on 15 March 2022.

The man was punched and kicked by a number of fans, including Eisa Faulding, 24, and Harrison Eames, 21, until he lost consciousness, Leeds Crown Court heard on Thursday.

Pringle was handed a four and half-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, while Faulding and Eames were given community orders.

Judge Simon Batiste said: "It is clear that an atmosphere developed during that match."

He added that Pringle and Faulding were arguing with police at a pub in Hartlepool before the game.

During the match, a steward decided Pringle's behaviour warranted escorting him out of the ground.

"The steward was pushed to the floor and you started fighting him," Judge Batiste told Pringle, a tiler with two stepchildren.

The judge described a "pile-on" from other Bradford fans, including Faulding and Eames, that led to the steward being "punched and kicked".

"He lost consciousness for a period of time," the judge said.

Pringle pleaded guilty on the day of the trail to the public order offence of threatening behaviour - fear or provocation of violence.

In addition to the suspended sentence he was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Faulding and Eames also pleaded guilty to the same public order offence of threatening behaviour - fear or provocation of violence.

Faulding, a father of young children, was given a community order for two years and was told to complete 180 hours of unpaid work.

Eames, who the court heard was of good character, was given an 18-month community order and was told to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

A football banning order will be considered by the judge on 16 May at Teesside Crown Court after that part of the sentencing was adjourned.

Correction 6 January 2026: This article originally stated that Devon Pringle had pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm and affray. In fact on the day of the trial he pleaded guilty to the section 4 public order offence of threatening behaviour -fear of provocation and violence and this plea was accepted. The article also stated that Faulding and Eames had pleaded guilty to affray and has been updated to explain that they pleaded guilty to the same section 4 public order offence.

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