A JUDGE commented that if every act of violence on the football pitch came to court he would be acting as a referee.
His Honour Judge Jamie Tabor QC’s remarks came at Gloucester Crown Court on Friday when a 39-year-old Gloucester footballer denied assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Austin Powell of Court Gardens, Hempsted, Gloucester allegedly head-butted another player, breaking his teeth.
Powell denies assaulting Alex Barnes of Brimscombe on the football pitch on January 19, this year, occasioning him actual bodily harm.
The judge said: “If every act of violence on the soccer pitch was brought to court then we would be acting as referees, but there we are.”
Prosecuting barrister Janine Wood said: “This was a head-butt and the Crown say there was no reason for it.”
The defence maintain that their client was acting in self-defence.
A two-day trial will be held on a date to be fixed and the defendant was granted unconditional bail.
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