Newcastle fan who punched police horse sentenced to 12 months in prison
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A Newcastle United fan has been given a one year jail sentence for punching a police horse following his team's defeat to Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby earlier this year.
Barry Rogerson was involved as hooligans ran riot following the Magpies' 3-0 loss to local rivals Sunderland in April.
The 45-year-old, who was wearing a scarf over his face, squared up to a police horse before landing a right hook on the poor animal's head.
Despite Rogerson earlier expressing his desire to apologise to the horse - who was not injured in the incident - the hooligan was pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday.
Judge Paul Sloan QC told him: "The crowd surged forward on two occasions and after the first surge you walked amongst the horses clapping your hands in excitement or pleasure at the events.
"Someone tried to pull you away but you pushed him away.
"A horse started to move towards you and you were told to move back, you had plenty of opportunities to move away.
"You stood your ground and attacked the horse by punching it in the head.
"There was a risk of serious injury, the officer could easily have been thrown from the horse and could have sustained serious injury."
Rogerson was also banned from all football grounds in the UK for six years.
Six others were jailed alongside Rogerson after almost 100 Newcastle fans were charged following the incident.
The case comes three days before the next clash between the two rivals held in Sunderland on Sunday.
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| Newcastle fan Barry Rogerson is seen punching a police horse during a post-match riot Photo: North News & Pictures Ltd |
Barry Rogerson was involved as hooligans ran riot following the Magpies' 3-0 loss to local rivals Sunderland in April.
The 45-year-old, who was wearing a scarf over his face, squared up to a police horse before landing a right hook on the poor animal's head.
Despite Rogerson earlier expressing his desire to apologise to the horse - who was not injured in the incident - the hooligan was pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday.
Judge Paul Sloan QC told him: "The crowd surged forward on two occasions and after the first surge you walked amongst the horses clapping your hands in excitement or pleasure at the events.
"Someone tried to pull you away but you pushed him away.
"A horse started to move towards you and you were told to move back, you had plenty of opportunities to move away.
"You stood your ground and attacked the horse by punching it in the head.
"There was a risk of serious injury, the officer could easily have been thrown from the horse and could have sustained serious injury."
Rogerson was also banned from all football grounds in the UK for six years.
Six others were jailed alongside Rogerson after almost 100 Newcastle fans were charged following the incident.
The case comes three days before the next clash between the two rivals held in Sunderland on Sunday.
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