Post by d30 on Jul 14, 2009 13:59:20 GMT -5
A BROOM-wielding heroine who single-handedly fought off football yobs as they barged into a railway station bar has been praised by police.
Fearless 22-year-old bar manageress Charlotte Sankey leapt into action at Manningtree station buffet as missiles and furniture were thrown about.
Queen’s Park Rangers supporters Paul Colman and John Spear were found guilty for violent disorder and are due to be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on August 8.
The pair, who both had previous football-related convictions, were among about 15 fans from London who injured bystanders while trying to wreck the bar.
But Charlotte, a former Manningtree High School pupil, drove them out of the family-run premises by waving a broom at them.
She said: “I was downstairs in the cellar. I heard smashing glass. I came flying up the stairs and there was glass flying everywhere.
“I went into the kitchen and grabbed a broom and ran to the entrance and was trying to get people out. I stood by the door trying to hit people as they came in.
“There were a lot of women and children in there and I wanted to make sure they weren’t going to get hurt.
“I didn’t really think about it.”
Charlotte said that, since the events of March 29 last year, following Ipswich Town’s home game against QPR, there had been a drop in families coming to the premises.
She said: “We used to have a lot of families, but they don’t come in as much now.
“People know it was not our fault, but it has affected us.”
Following the guilty verdicts, British Transport Police detective constable Alan Reed spoke of Charlotte’s courage.
He said: “Colman and Spear were part of serious disorder which took place when a group of hooligans burst into the Manningtree railway station bar shouting ‘We are QPR’.
“Bottles and glasses were thrown and customers were injured. While it was going on, Charlotte appeared from behind the bar waving a broom, swinging it around and got the hooligans out before closing the door on them. She was extremely brave in the circumstances, with missiles and furniture being thrown about the bar.
“Without her bravery, there is no doubt other people would have been injured and further damage done.
“If it was not for her, there would have been much more serious injuries. She defended herself, her customers and members of the public admirably.”
Spear, 57, of Hillingdon, has previous convictions for threatening behaviour at a QPR versus Celtic game and an assault on a female steward at a match with Southampton.
Colman, 50, from Watford, has earlier convictions for invading the pitch at a QPR versus Port Vale game and threatening behaviour at a match against Plymouth Argyle.
Both are currently on bail before they are sentenced.
www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/4487310.Broom_wielding_heroine_breaks_up_football_hooligans__bar_room_brawl/?ref=mr
Fearless 22-year-old bar manageress Charlotte Sankey leapt into action at Manningtree station buffet as missiles and furniture were thrown about.
Queen’s Park Rangers supporters Paul Colman and John Spear were found guilty for violent disorder and are due to be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on August 8.
The pair, who both had previous football-related convictions, were among about 15 fans from London who injured bystanders while trying to wreck the bar.
But Charlotte, a former Manningtree High School pupil, drove them out of the family-run premises by waving a broom at them.
She said: “I was downstairs in the cellar. I heard smashing glass. I came flying up the stairs and there was glass flying everywhere.
“I went into the kitchen and grabbed a broom and ran to the entrance and was trying to get people out. I stood by the door trying to hit people as they came in.
“There were a lot of women and children in there and I wanted to make sure they weren’t going to get hurt.
“I didn’t really think about it.”
Charlotte said that, since the events of March 29 last year, following Ipswich Town’s home game against QPR, there had been a drop in families coming to the premises.
She said: “We used to have a lot of families, but they don’t come in as much now.
“People know it was not our fault, but it has affected us.”
Following the guilty verdicts, British Transport Police detective constable Alan Reed spoke of Charlotte’s courage.
He said: “Colman and Spear were part of serious disorder which took place when a group of hooligans burst into the Manningtree railway station bar shouting ‘We are QPR’.
“Bottles and glasses were thrown and customers were injured. While it was going on, Charlotte appeared from behind the bar waving a broom, swinging it around and got the hooligans out before closing the door on them. She was extremely brave in the circumstances, with missiles and furniture being thrown about the bar.
“Without her bravery, there is no doubt other people would have been injured and further damage done.
“If it was not for her, there would have been much more serious injuries. She defended herself, her customers and members of the public admirably.”
Spear, 57, of Hillingdon, has previous convictions for threatening behaviour at a QPR versus Celtic game and an assault on a female steward at a match with Southampton.
Colman, 50, from Watford, has earlier convictions for invading the pitch at a QPR versus Port Vale game and threatening behaviour at a match against Plymouth Argyle.
Both are currently on bail before they are sentenced.
www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/4487310.Broom_wielding_heroine_breaks_up_football_hooligans__bar_room_brawl/?ref=mr
