Former professional footballer Thomas Taylor has been handed a suspended sentence after he was filmed elbowing an opponent during a match in Wales. The 36-year-old, from Llanddona, Beaumaris, Anglesey, admitted assaulting Daniel Brookwell, causing actual bodily harm, during a game between Trearddur Bay and Porthmadog on January 17 in Gwynedd.
At Caernarfon Magistrates' Court, prosecutor Diane Williams stated that Mr Brookwell was playing for Porthmadog when the incident occurred. According to the victim, there was no prior rivalry between the teams. However, after Porthmadog was awarded a penalty following a foul on Mr Brookwell, he stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Taylor while waiting for the kick to be taken.
Mr Brookwell recalled: “I suddenly hit the floor. I didn’t realise I was on the floor until after a few seconds.” He suffered bleeding from his mouth and nose and was left in shock. The court was shown images of his injured lip and video footage of the assault.
The victim later told the court that he felt dizzy after leaving the pitch. “A young male showed me the footage of what had happened. I was quite shocked. I don’t understand what caused this. Being knocked unconscious during a football match was deeply distressing,” he said in a statement. The video of the attack went viral online, and Mr Brookwell admitted that returning to football had become very difficult. “The incident has taken away the confidence and enjoyment I once had playing the game,” he added.
Prosecutor Diane Williams said the defendant claimed he had been fouled by the victim earlier and was provoked just before the assault. However, she argued: “That’s not the case at all. It was a purposeful assault.” Taylor had already been booked for dissent during the match.
Defence solicitor Glyn Roberts claimed that before the assault, the victim allegedly said words to the effect of “I will break your f***ing legs, you m***.” Roberts acknowledged that Taylor’s conduct was “inexcusable” and that he wished to apologise. Taylor, a former Shrewsbury Town professional who now coaches for the Anglesey club and plays occasionally, also suffers from diabetes. Roberts suggested that his blood-sugar levels and the alleged provocation may have influenced his actions.
“The consequences for him have been significant. He’s been vilified on social media, threats have been made against him. He asks the court to consider the provocation in this case,” Roberts added.
Court chairman Gwilym Morgan told Taylor: “This was a serious offence and we believe that it has crossed the custody threshold.” He received a 24-week jail term, suspended for one year. Additionally, he must pay £200 compensation, a £154 surcharge, and £85 costs.
Trearddur Bay FC released a statement after the incident: “Following an internal review, the decision was taken to release the suspended player involved with immediate effect. Trearddur Bay Football Club does not condone violence in any form and acknowledges that the incident should not have occurred. The club offers its sincere apologies to the opposition player involved, CPD Porthmadog, match officials, supporters, and the wider football community.”
