Huddersfield fan jailed for unprovoked attack on Halifax fans

A Huddersfield Town fan who attacked and repeatedly punched a group of Halifax Town supporters has been jailed for 20 weeks and banned from attending football matches for eight years.

21- year-old Reece McLaren was sentenced at Huddersfield Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 9 February after pleading guilty to affray.

McLaren had been drinking in Leeds prior to Huddersfield's away clash with Leeds United in March last year. He then travelled to Halifax, where a group of five teenage Halifax Town fans were waiting at the station following a FA Trophy semi-final fixture against Nantwich Town FC.

McLaren mistakenly believed the teenagers were Nantwich fans and began to throw punches at them in a totally unprovoked attack.

As one of the victims managed to raise the alarm and call police, McLaren and other members of the group jumped onto the tracks and ran off down the line.

He was arrested a few days later after he was recognised by an officer.McLaren received 20 weeks in jail and an eight-year banning order which, as well as prohibiting him from attending football matches, prevents him from entering the railway when Huddersfield Town are playing away or England are at home.

He was already serving a 32-month sentence for a public order offence committed in Rotherham on the 5 September 2015 following an English Defence League demonstration.