Guilty: Gary Madine faces jail over two nightclub attacks

Sheffield Wednesday striker Gary Madine, 23, shook his head after he was found guilty of causing Sheffield United fan Reece Hall grievous bodily harm at Leeds Crown Court.

He was earlier found guilty of causing Wednesday fan Daniel Beresford actual bodily harm by a jury after a week-long trial and more than seven hours of deliberations.

Madine, who has a previous conviction for knocking a man out in a Carlisle pub, punched Mr Beresford in the Paris Bar in Sheffield city centre in February last year, breaking his nose.

Four weeks later, he punched bricklayer Mr Hall in the city’s Viper Room club, shattering his cheekbone.

Today Judge Rodney Jameson QC gave Madine bail but told him: “You must understand that an immediate custodial sentence is very likely.”

Judge Jameson told the jury of seven men and five women: “I agree with all of your verdicts. I think you’ve got it absolutely spot on.”

The judge adjourned the case for sentencing so reports can be prepared. No sentencing date was fixed.

The jury cleared Madine - known by some Wednesday fans as Goal Machine - of the more serious charge of causing Mr Hall grievous bodily harm. But they unanimously found him guilty of actual bodily harm.

The footballer was also found not guilty of causing Mr Beresford grievous bodily harm with intent but the jury found him guilty of the lesser offence of grievous bodily harm by a majority of 10 to 2.

The striker was on bail for the first offence when he attacked Mr Hall on March 11, 2012.

Prosecutors told the jury that Madine, who stood in the dock dressed in a black shirt and tie, turned into “an arrogant, violent thug” when drunk.

Mr Beresford told the court how he did not know why he was punched.

The court heard how Madine stared at him in the Paris Bar and when the keen Owls fan asked him why, the player walked over and punched him on the nose.

Mr Beresford, who is 5ft 9in, was knocked to the floor, banged his head and was knocked out for between two and five minutes in the 1am attack, the court heard.

Madine claimed he was acting in self defence after a drink was thrown over him and was worried he was going to be hit with a glass or a bottle.

Mr Hall was attacked after Madine started a conversation with him in the Viper Room toilets, asking him “Wednesday or United?”.

Mr Hall picked out Madine for police in the bar. The footballer was arrested and admitted abusing officers who put him in a van saying “I’ll have you all” and then swearing at a custody sergeant.

But, weeks after the attack, Mr Hall went back to police and told them he thought he had picked out the wrong person - a claim he repeated to the jury.

Madine, who said he is 6ft 3in tall and weighs 14st, is originally from Gateshead and told the court he supports Newcastle United.

He not played for Wednesday this season due to this court case.

The case was adjourned to a date in October yet to be fixed and Madine was given bail.