Terrifying CCTV footage shows gangs of thugs armed with knives, axes and spades attacking each other at a junior boxing tournament.

Police released the footage of the riot which broke out at a sports centre in Ryton, Warwickshire. 

Following a four-year investigation and prosecution involving three police forces, 23 of the yobs have been jailed for a total of 48 years, including one man from Oxfordshire.

Anthony T. O’Donnell, 29, of Middle Ground, Wheatley, was jailed for 32 months after being found guilty of violent disorder after a trial at Warwick Crown Court on July 18.

A group of 60 men, mainly travellers, 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.

Video footage shows yobs hurling chairs at people before some of the men ran back to their vehicles to retrieve weapons.

Twenty-six men 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.

The men then fled the building and drove away in their cars leaving a trail of destruction behind them.

The thugs caused thousands of pounds of damage to the sports centre and the boxing tournament was cancelled.

Officers from Thames Valley Police, Warwickshire Police and the Metropolitan Police joined forces to identify the suspects. 

CCTV and mobile phone footage led to the identification of over 30 suspects, largely from the London and Buckinghamshire area.

More than 20 men were charged with charges including violent disorder, grievous bodily harm and weapons offences.

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.

“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.”

 

Anthony O'Donnell was jailed for 32 months (Image: Warwickshire Police / SWNS)