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.

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.