Footballer jailed for a year after deliberately breaking opponent’s leg in revenge for foul on teammate

Nathaniel Kerr (left) was jailed for the injury he inflicted on Stuart Parsons (right) (C)MENS

An amateur footballer is being jailed for a year after deliberately breaking an opponent’s leg during a match in revenge for foul on a teammate.
Nathaniel Kerr, 27, who was playing for pub team Manchester was reported to have launched an assault on Stuart Parsons, 30, just two minutes into the game. Parsons was said to have required pin and plate in ankle after it was broken in two places by Kerr.

Parsons required a pin and plate in his ankle after it was broken by Kerr

Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court heard Kerr became angered after an early foul on one of his AFC Gold Cup teammates by an opposition player from Offerton-based side The Emigration. After losing control of the ball he dived over it and, whilst grunting, flew at Mr Parsons ‘like an athlete doing a long jump’ before landing and stamping on his leg.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident in August last year Kerr carried on abusing his victim as he lay in agony on the ground shouting: 'get up you soft c***.'
Justin Hayhoe, prosecuting, told the court that as a melee erupted, Kerr then turned to the man who committed the original foul and said: ‘I did this because of you.’
The sickening break was visible through his socks and once the severity of the injury became clear Kerr did show remorse, the court heard. However he was sent off and the match was abandoned as the air ambulance came to Mr Parsons' aid on playing fields in Hazel Grove.
In his official report, the referee said he had ‘never seen such aggression on a football pitch.’
Kerr, of Urmston, was arrested several weeks after the incident on August 30, 2014 and was later charged with wounding with intent by officers.
He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge causing grievous bodily harm at an earlier hearing. No action has been taken by the football authorities whilst the court case has been ongoing.
And in the meantime Kerr has been playing for Droylsden - who are in the Northern Premier League Division One North, the eighth tier of English football - being sent off on one occasion.
Parsons, who is likely never to play football again, spent two weeks in hospital where he underwent surgery, and he has since required months of physiotherapy.
Judge Stuart Driver QC said he had no option but to send Kerr, who has previous convictions for violence, straight to prison due to the harm caused.

Parsons during recovery

Sentencing, he said: ‘Let's make it clear what we are talking about here. This wasn't a late or misjudged tackle in a football game.
‘This is a case where a great deal of harm was caused. It has had a serious impact on (Mr Parsons’s) life. I have taken into account that this isn't the kind of case this court normally deals with.
‘You hadn't been drinking and it wasn't late at night. But it was in a fast moving situation and in the heat of the moment, you did something which when you realised the consequences, you regretted.’
After the case, investigating officer Pc Louise Spencer said: ‘This injury has had a catastrophic effect on Stuart's life, meaning he has been unable to work or support his young family.
‘He is self-employed and the injury meant he was forced to rely on the kindness of his teammates, who arranged fundraisers and charity events to provide the financial support he needed.
‘All the while Kerr has shown absolutely no remorse for his vicious attack, calling the victim a wimp and verbally abusing him as he was lying in agony on the pitch.
‘The subsequent investigation and conviction into this assault demonstrates that this kind of aggression and thuggery during sporting fixtures will not be tolerated by Greater Manchester Police.’

Source: DailyMail