Former Town footballer Glen Tolley jailed over pub attack

Former AFC Telford United and Shrewsbury Town footballer Glen Tolley has been jailed for 15 months for his part in a brawl in which a man's jaw was broken.

Tolley, 26, of Radnor Drive, Knighton, was found guilty of violent disorder and assault occasioning actual bodily harm following a three-week trial and was jailed at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court yesterday.

William Bevan, 26 of Bowdler Farm, Knighton, was found guilty of violent disorder and assault occasioning actual bodily harm over the incident last August and was also jailed for 15 months.

George Davies, 20, of Presteigne Road, Knighton, was found guilty of violent disorder and was sent to young offender's institute for 10 months.

Sentencing Judge John Curran said: "This was a wholly disgraceful act and an explosion of violence from the three of you. This case can only lead to immediate custody as I need to set an example to young men that they can't go out and cause this kind of trouble."

Prosecuting, Mr Martyn Kelly said three were part of a group of men who had gone to the Red Lion pub at the junction of West Street and Church Street, where a dance was taking place.

Also at the dance was Tomas Svingal, a Slovakian who had been living in Knighton for about four years. Mr Svingal went to another pub and when he returned, Tolley punched him causing him to fall on to some bench seats.

Mr Kelly said as Tomas was getting up all of the men in the group joined in punching him and some picked up bar stools and attacked him .

Lucy Crowther, for Tolley, said he had been an excellent sportsman who had now built a life with his partner.