A 30-year-old man has been jailed for headbutting Sheffield United captain Billy Sharp at Tuesday’s Championship play-off semi-final second leg at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground.
Forest season ticket holder Robert Biggs, from Ilkeston, Derbyshire, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm which left Sharp requiring four stitches to a wound to his lip.
He was jailed at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday for 24 weeks.
Prosecutor Marianne Connally said the incident was caught by cameras covering the Championship semi-final for live television.
She told the court: “A large number of fans entered the field of play.
“Mr Sharp hadn’t directly participated in the game. He appears to be standing with his hands in his pockets.
— billy sharp (@billysharp10) May 18, 2022
“Mr Biggs can be seen to run along the pitch. He then headbutts Mr Sharp.
“The Crown’s case is that this is a deliberate and senseless act of violence.”
Biggs appeared in court in custody and did not oppose an application for a football banning order during the hearing.
He was told that separate charge of illegally entering the playing surface had been dropped.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here