Stephen Rimmer sentenced to 22 months following brawl

Stephen Rimmer

Stephen Rimmer, 54, of Gale Street, Rochdale has been sentenced to 22 months imprisonment and given a 10 year football banning order.

Rimmer was one of twenty one people who were involved in a brawl following a football match in Burnley in January last year sentenced at Preston Crown Court.

Twenty men and one 17-year-old boy were all charged with violent disorder following an investigation launched by police after trouble flared in Burnley Miners Club, Plumbe Street following the match between Burnley FC and Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday 18 January 2014.

The violence broke out at about 6pm and left a window at the club smashed and other damage, including broken furniture.

Chief Superintendent Chris Bithell of Lancashire Police said: “The behaviour of all those involved in the disorder was disgraceful and completely unacceptable.

“While the vast majority of those who attended the fixture behaved responsibly, it is entirely regrettable that a small number of people chose to act in such a mindless fashion after the match. Throughout our investigation we have worked closely with the public and Burnley FC in order to identify those involved and I would like to thank them for their support and assistance.

“The sentences serve as a warning to anyone who thinks they can engage in violent disorder at football fixtures and get away with it. We will not tolerate such violence in our county and the outcome of this investigation shows that we are determined to take action against those who act in this way and bring them to justice.”