Thug jailed and banned from football for 10 years after sickening knife attack

WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGE: An Everton fan said he “couldn’t look at himself in the mirror” after being slashed in the face by a Millwall supporter ahead of the FA Cup tie between the teams in 2019

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

The video will auto-play soon8Cancel

Play now

Violence at Millwall v Everton match ‘most shocking’ for some time, says Met Police

A Millwall hooligan who left an Everton fan permanently scarred after slashing him across the face has been jailed and banned from all football matches for 10 years.

Billy Cowap, 29, attacked the rival fan when firms from both teams clashed near Millwall’s New Den stadium before the fourth round FA Cup tie in January 2019.

A large group of Everton fans got off a train at Surrey Quays station and made their way to a nearby pub on Old Rotherhithe Road, Kingston Crown Court heard.

They attacked people outside the pub and threw bottles and chairs. Millwall supporters at the pub threw glasses and chairs in retaliation. Police separated the fans via a cordon.

But, as Everton fans retreated to a nearby estate, Millwall yobs approached them and a smaller fight took place before it was broken up.

As the Everton fans left the estate they were approached by even more Millwall fans.

Cowap caused “significant injury” to a man’s face with a knife during large scale disorder between the two firms, involving more than 100 people.

He attempted to cause serious GBH to one victim then later slashed the face of another while involved in the disorder the court heard.

“Absolutely devastated about my face,” said the man who was slashed by Cowap after the incident happened.

“Nice one to all the Everton lads and everyone who have messaged me and the Liverpool lads who have messaged me, much appreciated.

“I can’t even look at me self in the mirror, daft c*** award goes to me again.”

Police were able to identify Cowap via CCTV, body worn video and social media footage. They were also able to place him at the scene by analysing his phone call data and cell site data.

The knife used was recovered at the scene and officers identified that the colour of the knife matched the weapon Cowap was seen carrying in videos of the incident.

Cowap, of Grove Park, south east London, was sentenced to six years and eight months imprisonment for GBH, three years and four months for attempted GBH, and one year for violent disorder, to be served concurrently.

He had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing. He was also issued with a 10-year football banning order. He was sentenced alongside seven other men involved in the clashes who had also admitted violent disorder.

Alex Jarvis, 34, of Shooters Hill, south east London, was jailed for eight months, suspended for 18 months, ordered to do 40 hours unpaid work, and pay £140 costs. He was also slapped with a three year football banning order.

Charlie Foster, 22, of Bromley, south east London, was sentenced to 100 hours unpaid work, £85 costs and a three year football banning order.

Dean West, 34, of Basingstoke, Hants, was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months, 80 hours unpaid work, £140 court costs and a a four-year football banning order.

Gary Kenyon, 33, of no fixed address was sentenced to 120 hours unpaid work, £85 costs and a three-year football banning order.

Jack Cracknell, 24, of Sidcup, Harry Banks, 22, of Bromley, and Brett Taylor, 25, of Abbey Wood, all south east London, were each sentenced to 90 hours unpaid work, £85 court costs and three-year football banning orders.

Detective Constable Phil Dickinson, of the Met’s Public Order Command, said: “This type of disorder is incredibly dangerous and led to a violent attack which left a victim with lasting injuries which have required numerous surgeries.

“The sentences given to these men reflect the severity of the events that took place. Violence between football fans will not be tolerated and we will continue our work to keep London safe during sport matches.”