Wolves fan in court for punching two teenage West Brom supporters

Andrew Cushley, of Swancroft Road, Tipton, appeared before Walsall Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The 47-year-old pleaded guilty to two charges of common assault, on the basis that the two teenagers had been verbally assaulting his friend and that the assault was not football related.

But prosecuting, Alisha Bartimus, dismissed his claims and said Cushley had approached the two teenagers and said "Albion youth are we?" She added that it was an unprovoked attack by Wolves supporter Cushley.

The charges related to an incident on a train in Wolverhampton on September 29.

Shabeer Qureshi, defending, said: "The basis of plea that the defendant will plead guilty to charges of common assault are that the defendant was on the train and was informed by a female friend she had been verbally abused by the two teenagers in a group.

"The defendant approached them about their behaviour and upsetting his friend. The group were all intoxicated. The defendant asked if they liked abusing women and they laughed.

Reckless

"He threw three or four punches. The defendant accepts his actions were reckless.

"The defendant denies that any football teams were mentioned and that this was not football related."

Mrs Bartimus said: "The basis is not acceptable to the Crown. The victims are 17 years of age.

"The victims were West Bromwich Albion supporters and on the train the defendant approached them and said words similar to 'Albion youth are we'. The victims were both punched to the face area.

"The Crown say it was completely unprovoked and was football related.

"It has been some time since the defendant has been before the courts."

Chairman of the magistrates, Claire Brentnall, accepted his basis of plea – as they felt it would not make a significant difference to the sentence – and adjourned for three weeks for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

Cushley will next appear before Walsall Magistrates Court on November 9.