hree men have been issued Football Banning Orders following a violent altercation outside The Ruby public house in Coldean Lane, Brighton. The incident occurred after a Premier League fixture between Brighton and Hove Albion and Luton Town on August 12, 2023.
Thomas Miller, Christopher Stevens, and Stephen Lang were each involved in the affray, which unfolded around 8 p.m. after rival supporters gathered at the pub due to delays caused by train cancellations. During the altercation, a 57-year-old man from Buckinghamshire was assaulted, sustaining a brain injury that required hospital treatment. The assault was witnessed by the victim’s son and grandson, who had also attended the match.
At Brighton Crown Court on September 27, the three men were each handed official Football Banning Orders, restricting their access to future football games.
- Thomas Miller, 33, a bricklayer from Shoreham, was aggressive toward Luton supporters and threw a plastic beer cup during the disturbance. He admitted to affray and was given a nine-month suspended prison sentence, a three-year Football Banning Order, 150 hours of unpaid work, 20 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) sessions, and was ordered to pay ÂŁ500 compensation and ÂŁ1,000 in court costs.
- Christopher Stevens, 44, a removals operative from Brighton, punched the victim during the attack. He was also given a nine-month suspended prison sentence, a three-year Football Banning Order, 150 hours of unpaid work, 20 RAR sessions, and ordered to pay ÂŁ500 compensation and ÂŁ1,000 in court costs.
- Stephen Lang, 62, a retail sales assistant from Brighton, inflicted further harm on the victim, knocking him unconscious. He admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent and affray. Lang was handed a two-year suspended prison sentence, a four-year Football Banning Order, 240 hours of unpaid work, 15 RAR sessions, ÂŁ2,500 in compensation, and ÂŁ150 in court costs.
The court condemned the violence, especially given its impact on the victim’s family, and imposed these measures to prevent future incidents at football matches.
