Footballer jailed over on-pitch punch

Kevin Wigglesworth broke Michael Hutchinson’s jaw when he struck him during the five-a-side game between their teams in the Mundial league, Leeds Crown Court heard yesterday.

Mr Hutchinson was playing for FC Morrisons, of which he was the assistant manager, while Wigglesworth was playing for Double L in the evening fixture at the Thomas Danby College pitches on Roundhay Road, Leeds, on November 15 last year.

John Bull, prosecuting, said there was a verbal exchange between the two men with Wigglesworth complaining he had been fouled and warning the other player not to touch him again.

As Mr Hutchinson began to jog away he suddenly felt a blow to his upper chin from behind and that prompted a fist fight between players on both teams in the middle of the pitch with the match then being abandoned by the referee.

Mr Hutchinson, who had a cut to his chin, was taken to hospital where he was found to have two fractures to his jaw. He had to have a metal plate inserted in one side and subsequently suffered infections which delayed his recovery.

Wigglesworth, 34 of Carlton View, Woodhouse, Leeds was jailed for 12 months after admitting inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Sentencing him Judge Geoffrey Marson QC said it was “a disgraceful incident” with no justification for a punch being thrown in the middle of the match. “What an example to set to children.”

“Your victim suffered serious injury, had to have a metal plate inserted, was off work six weeks and no doubt the psychological effects will live a long time with him.”

The judge said he had read references on Wigglesworth’s behalf and accepted the submission by his advocate, Mark Foley, that it was one blow which had not been followed up and that he had not intended the serious consequences that followed, but there had to be a immediate jail term. Civil action might also follow.

Mr Foley told the court jail would impact on Wigglesworth’s children who would be deprived of his care.