Simon Dobbin Assault: Thirteen men convicted

Simon Dobbin and his wife Nicole

Serena Sandhu reports from Basildon Crown Court:

Thirteen men have been convicted for their part in an assault which left a Cambridge United football fan unable to walk or talk.

Simon Dobbin was brutally attacked after a match at Southend's Roots Hall in March 2015. He was left with severe brain damage.

He spent a year in hospital after being hit and stamped on repeatedly.

Today a jury at Basildon Crown Court found 12 men guilty for their part in the attack. Another man had previously admitted the charge of violent disorder.

Nine were guilty of violent disorder, three of conspiracy to commit violent disorder and one for assisting an offender.

They will be sentenced on Monday. Simon's wife Nicole said she will bring him to the court for the hearing.

Our reporter Serena Sandhu has been looking at the background to the case:

Here's a list of the men and their convictions:

• Greg Allen, 29, a painter, of Wellington Avenue, Westcliff, found guilty of conspiracy to commit violent disorder;

• Lewis Courtnell, 34, a fence installer, of Stadium Road, Southend, found guilty of violent disorder;

• Jamie Chambers, 24, a removals operative, of Southchurch Avenue, Southend, found guilty of violent disorder;

• Thomas Randall, 22, a consumer credit employee, of Seaforth Avenue, Southend, found guilty of violent disorder;

• Michael Shawyer, 32, a tiler, of Belgrave Road, Leigh-on-Sea, found guilty of conspiracy to commit violent disorder;

• Matthew Petchey, 26, unemployed, formerly of Lascelles Gardens, Rochford, found guilty of violent disorder;

• Twins Alexander Woods and James Woods, a chef, both 25 and of Fairmead Avenue, Westcliff, both found guilty of violent disorder;

• Philip McGill, 32, an electrician, of Hornby Avenue, Westcliff, found guilty of conspiracy to commit violent disorder;

• Rhys Pullen, 21, a telecommunications engineer of Bridge Road, Wickford previously admitted the charge of violent disorder;

• Scott Nicholls, 40, a construction worker, of Little Spenders, Basildon, found guilty of violent disorder; and

• Ryan Carter, 21, unemployed, of no fixed address, found guilty of violent disorder;

• Ian Young, 41, an electrician, of Brightwell Avenue, Westcliff, was found guilty of assisting an offender.