Football hooligan faces £7k dental bill during pitch invasion after headbutting steward

A football fan is facing a dental bill of £7,000 after he headbutted a steward so hard in the face that he was left with a lisp.

At Westminster Magistrates ‘ Court earlier this month, Nathan Brown, 27, acknowledged assault causing real bodily harm against Ahmed Laaouiti.

He was sent to Isleworth Crown Court to be tried, but today a judge adjourned the hearing after ruling the case was so extreme that she requested a probation pre-sentencing report.

The court heard that during the QPR vs Charlton Championship match at The Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on December 21, 2019, Charlton fan Brown attempted to breach the pitch.

“Prosecutor Olu Phillips said:” Your honor may have seen the complainant’s complaint, that he has lost his two front teeth, and that he is still in pain 10 months after the incident.

It has been said that Mr. Laaouiti has paid out £7,658 of his own money so far to undergo comprehensive dental work since the attack.

Judge Karen Holt said: “He had CT scans and X-rays, nerve damage, it was important to remove the teeth. He also developed a lisp.”

Brown has past convictions for robbery and dishonesty and one for grievous bodily harm since 2015, the court heard.

He’s not a man of good faith, Judge Holt said. He was convicted of a section 20 previously for which he was incarcerated for two and a half years. It simply crosses the threshold of custody on the face of it.

“Without a pre-sentence report, I have no capacity to accept a suspended sentence. Without one, I don’t know why it is listed.

Dominic Bardill, Brown’s barrister, said his client formerly employed as a roofer but now mostly serves as a removal man because of the pandemic.

Mr Bardill told the court that he had around £1,000 a month available to pay the victim’s compensation.

“He said:” He would like the person to pay the dental charges and any other compensation.

The defendant insists that he was only jumping around celebrating a last minute goal, the allegation that he was trying to get into the pitch.

“That’s not to take the seriousness away. Mr. Brown showed up today with a packed bag, and he completely knows the severity of the situation.”

I’m going to order a report, Judge Holt said. I make it completely clear that without a doubt it crosses the immediate threshold of detention. It’s whether a deferred sentence is immediate or with a heavy box.

It’s a serious matter. You’ve changed the life of this guy, and it’s only fair that I have enough details about you that I can decide what exactly to do with you.

The possibility that you will be willing to receive a considerable amount of compensation will be taken into consideration.

“I’m expecting it to be crystal clear to you that I’m asking for a report, but that doesn’t mean you’re not going to jail, it can only be sentenced to duration.”

Brown would now be subjected to a football exclusion order prohibiting him from playing in matches, with the period to be determined at the next hearing.

Brown, of Orpington, Bromley, was bailed unconditionally and will appear next month for sentencing at Isleworth Crown Court.