Man City fan jailed after causing £10k damage to a police vehicle following Champions League victory

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Leon Blackett

Leon Blackett mugshot / Credit: GMP

A Manchester City fan has been jailed for his part in large-scale disorder following the club’s Champions League victory.

The court heard how, following Manchester City’s Champions League Final win over Inter Milan in Istanbul in Turkey on Saturday 10 June 2023, jubilant fans flocked to the streets of Manchester city centre for late-night celebrations.

The large influx of fans in high spirits prompted a police response to ‘ensure public safety’ and ‘prevent any public disorder’, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

However, the disorder did begin to escalate despite police presence.

A number of fans, including 22-year-old Leon Blackett, scaled a police vehicle and proceeded to jump up and down on it, which subsequently caused more than £10,000 worth of damage, and resulted in the vehicle having to be written off. 

Following the disorder, an investigation was launched by GMP’s City Centre policing, with officers obtaining social media and CCTV footage that helped them to identify those responsible.

Blackett admitted to the offence, after he was arrested on Thursday 19 October 2023.

Following admitting to the offence, Blackett was sentenced to 44 months in prison – a three-month jail term for this football-related offence, along with 41 months for possession of a bladed article and a domestic related communications offence.

He has also been given a seven-year Football Banning Order, commencing on the day Blackett received his sentence.

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“The actions by Blackett in the wake of Manchester City’s historic Champions League Final victory were completely unacceptable,” commented PC Matt Ford, from GMP’s Specialist Operations Planning Unit.

“This is a timely reminder to those who commit crimes while following the football in another country, we will seek prosecutions for unacceptable behaviour.”

Featured Image – GMP