This is the terrifying moment a traveller gang armed with knives, axes and spades launched a vicious attack at a junior boxing tournament in Warwickshire.
Warwickshire Police released the footage of the riot which broke out at a sports centre in Ryton, just outside Coventry.
Video footage shows yobs hurling chairs at people before some of the men ran back to their vehicles to retrieve weapons.
Twenty-six men, most of whom were travellers, then armed themselves with pickaxe handles, axes, knives, and spades.
Some then started to smash car windows in the car park while others headed back inside to attack the small group of men.
Members of the smaller group were cornered in the bar area, where the large group tried to get to them.
One victim was forced to the ground where he was kicked, punched, and slashed in the face with a blade.
Warwickshire Police released the footage of the riot which broke out at a sports centre in Ryton, just outside Coventry
Twenty-six men armed themselves with pickaxe handles, axes, knives, and spades
Video footage shows yobs hurling chairs at people before some of the men ran back to their vehicles to retrieve weapons
The men then fled the building and drove away in their cars leaving a trail of destruction behind them.
Following a four-year investigation and prosecution involving three police forces, 23 of the yobs have been jailed for a total of 48 years.
A group of 60 men arrived in a convoy of 13 cars and 4x4s on February 15, 2020, before storming the venue.
The thugs targeted a small group of men inside, initiating a mass violent disorder that lasted 20 minutes.
Many of the 300 people inside, including families and young competitors, were seen desperately running for cover.
The thugs caused thousands of pounds of damage to the sports centre and the boxing tournament was cancelled.
Officers from Warwickshire Police, Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police joined forces to identify the troublemakers.
CCTV and mobile phone footage led to the identification of over 30 suspects, largely from the London and Buckinghamshire area.
A total of 29 men were charged with charges including violent disorder, grievous bodily harm and weapons offences.
The thugs targeted a small group of men inside, initiating a mass violent disorder that lasted 20 minutes
Officers from Warwickshire Police, Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police joined forces to identify the troublemakers
A total of 23 men were jailed for combined total of 48 years at Warwick Crown Court on July 18
A total of 23 men were jailed for combined total of 48 years at Warwick Crown Court on July 18
Top row – Francis O’Donnell, 24, Denis Murphy, 43, Patrick Corcoran, 35, Martin McDonagh 35, Michael O’Donnell, 26. Middle row: Martin McDonagh, 35, Simon O’Donnell, 22, Declan McDonagh, 23, Steven McDonagh, 37, Anthony McDonagh, Bottom row: Charlie Ward, 47, Simon O’Donnell Snr., 43, Richard O’Donnell, 33, Larry McCarthy, 30, Edward McDonagh, 35. Top-right, William McDonagh, 36, bottom-right, Anthony McDonagh, 29
A total of 23 men were jailed for combined total of 48 years at Warwick Crown Court on July 18.
Detective Constable Middleton, of Warwickshire Police, said: ‘This was a brazen, outrageous incident that saw people injured and would have caused huge distress to hundreds of members of the public who had simply attended a venue to enjoy a sporting event.
‘Why any member of this group thought they would get away with turning a public venue into a warzone is beyond both me and the rest of the team who took part in this investigation.
‘This has been a huge undertaking and I welcome the sentences handed out.
‘All those involved in this ridiculous, dangerous behaviour now have
plenty of time – whether it be through doing unpaid work or sitting in a prison cell – to reflect on their actions.
‘The message is clear – there is no safety in numbers for people involved in violent disorder.
‘Behave like this in our communities, and we’ll be catching up with you.’
