Referee left with 16 stitches after assault on pitch
A MAN who assaulted a referee following a troubled junior football match is to be sentenced in three weeks' time.
Richard Norman has pleaded guilty at Swansea Crown Court to unlawfully wounding 62-year-old Reynold Clive Steward late last year.
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Richard Norman
Mr Steward, who has been a referee for 23 years, was attacked following an under-14s match at Cadle Mill playing fields in Blaenymaes on December 6.
He had abandoned the match between Ynystawe and Cwm Albion after having sent three of the players off the field and was subsequently assaulted by 33-year-old Norman, of Heol Fach, Treboeth.
Norman was granted bail ahead of a sentencing hearing on July 24.
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by Ian Cook, Nelson, New Zealand
Wednesday, July 08 2009, 1:36AM
“I am a a former rugby referee and also a member of rugbyrefs.com. This disgraceful act of cowardice need to be punished severely. I don't know what your maximum sentence is for GBH is in UK, but here 5 years to Life depending on intent. This b@stard should get at least 10 and a lifetime ban from all involvement with Football.”
by geoff, mumbles
Monday, July 06 2009, 12:28PM
“CHRISS-SWANSEA VALLEY.I and probably others reading this are very sorry that you give up being A Ref because of some mindless idiots.mayI just say Please think about this as you are still a young person Who has still got a lot to offer.If you like being a Ref why not think-Rugby-tennis-Badminton-etc?You will probably Be more thought of for it Good Luck And Best Wishes For The Future”
by Chris, Swansea Valleys
Monday, July 06 2009, 8:42AM
“I gave up reffing at the age of 16 (I could have gone a lot further than the Swansea league) because of the abuse, threats and dim behaviour of many parents on the sidelines. Being told that if I was seen in town I would be glassed was just about the last straw for a 16 year old giving up his Saturday afternoons to ref the youngsters of the league!!
Drinking on the sideline at 10.30 am, swearing, running on the pitch and abusing you. They wonder why youngsters from this area hardly ever succeed with parents like that holding them back!
Send him down for 6 months he deserves it!”
by steve, Barrow-in-Furness
Sunday, July 05 2009, 6:48PM
“I'm a rugby ref and this has been posted on rugbyrefs.com.
Only a custodial sentence will send the right message.
but as he's been out so long I doubt this will happen”
by Heather, Mwmbwls
Saturday, July 04 2009, 8:25PM
“@ cj, Mumbles, hehehe say it as it is why don't you. Good on you. I can tell you're from Mumbles you're nasty like the rest of us. Hahahaha”
by callum, swansea
Saturday, July 04 2009, 7:50PM
“the news paper have got it completeley wrong, they have made out it was both sides fault .ynystawe had nothing to to with it, the 3 red cards were to cwm albion. and boys from Blaenymaes also threatened to knife an ynystawe player.”
by cj, Mumbles
Saturday, July 04 2009, 7:33PM
“Great, this man is scum, typical behviour of what is expected fom a football dad from swansea. I now know why we can not win anything its because parents like this are on the sideline.
Please give this total inept and scum parent a custodial sentence.
To all the referees out there who give thier time to makefootball fun, dont give up, this pathetic low life loser of a parent will be put where he should be, playing with the big yin prison.
Good luck in prison scum dad!!!!!”
by matt, Gorseinon
Saturday, July 04 2009, 5:12PM
“bottom line is the country is skint bigtime he will have 250 hours and 2 years suspended Fact.”
by kelly, swansea
Saturday, July 04 2009, 4:30PM
“lock him up!!!
loser!”
by George Armstrong, cockett
Saturday, July 04 2009, 9:16AM
“It's funny isn't it the same old names in court yet again! When oh when will we learn that to be lenient on these people is weakness. At least 5 years I say.”