I got arrested for it a couple of times many years ago. I have not been inside. I have not been to court for it either.
Most arrests are made to stop the trouble from getting worse. The arrests that lead to court are when a violent attack has been witnessed. Even then most are dropped before court, just like most crimes as they are not 99% sure of a conviction. A 3 year sentence for football violence means it would have been at the upper level and also witnessed.
Football violence is one step down from rioting. Don't try to tell me what happens. I was involved in it for years. Not one of my proudest moments. The numbers involved was always lower than thought. The majority was lads who wanted to look big and did the running and shouting. Then did the running away when things got interesting. At no time would any of these got a prison sentence unless they became "brave" and saw an easy target. I was a bit of an idiot when I was involved in it all. Saw it as a laugh. It was what you did whilst going to a game. The pride of your city was at stake. It seemed like fun. I am glad I come to my senses. Lots of thugs went tooled up. I remember one game against Chelsea. What a day. We all got in and out of the place in one piece. We had a good day. It was only when we were back in Cov in a pub that someone noticed my jacket had a big hole in it on my back. I had been slashed. If it wasn't a cold day I would have had less layers on. I suppose the person that did it would have deserved a slap on the wrist?
So are you saying that hooligans do not deserve to go to prison? The problem with society is that people know they can get away with most things today. we have some great deterrants. Someone drives a car without insurance that is banned. He causes an accident. He loses a licence he has never had, gets a fine he won't pay and community service he won't complete. This is wrong. It don't mean though that the rare crimes that are punished more harshly are incorrect though. If we had correct punishment for all crimes the crime rate would plummet. Most crimes are committed by the vast minority. The old saying when I was younger was if you can't do the time don't do the crime. Now it seems to be you won't get the time so you might as well do the crime.
sorry mr know it all- dont comment on something you did 30 years ago. times have changed
when did you get arrested and involved ? 1970s when 80% of fans were at it ? couldnt be policed back then and more people died or seriously injured
in today climate , the trouble never happens near the ground , happens out of the way
the football lads up cov are good lads and would rather spend time in there company instead of some smackhead from the aldermoor
the trouble nowadays is few and far between , no stabbings or slashings just toe to toe fighting
i guess over 95% of posters on here have broke the law whether it be speeding, foul and abusive language etc... the do gooders brigade make me laugh on here they really do