March 13, 2002
Thirty men have been found guilty of taking part in organised violence between hooligan gangs attached to Newcastle United Football Club (NUFC) and Sunderland Association Football Club (SAFC).
Jason Jameson, 32, and Graham Russell, 34, the rival gang leaders were each given four years in jail for conspiracy to commit violent disorder.
On 18 March 2000 they took part in a bloody fight, organised by mobile phone, on the landing to a passenger ferry across the Rive Tyne.
The two gangs, the ‘Seaburn Casuals’ and the ‘Newcastle Gremlins’ are known to police forces throughout the country.
The scene of the fight was left covered in pools of blood and weapons were found scattered around.
Some of the defendants were recorded on CCTV, and most of those arrested were carrying mobile telephones.
The calls and bills were checked and it was found that the two gangs had been ringing each other throughout the day to arrange the fight.
Reporting ban
War veteran Jameson, from Monkwearmouth, Wearside, led the Sunderland gang, and Russell, from Cullercoats, North Tyneside, led the Newcastle gang.
One of the leading members of the Gremlins, John Sharp, 39, is a former Royal Navy diver and veteran of the Falklands war.
He was jailed for 18 months.
A variety of jail and other sentences were handed down to 25 others, while sentence against a further two men was adjourned.
A reporting ban had been imposed during the trial, which began in October has been held in several stages at Teesside and Newcastle Crown Courts.
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Copyright (c) 2000-2002 Sue Kelly