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Men in court accused of killing football fan

Lewis Adamsat Basildon Crown Court
News imageFamily handout Simon Dobbin in the stand at a football stadium and holding a cup of tea. He has a fist in the air and is celebrating. He has short greying hair and is wearing a black coat in front of other football supporters.Family handout
Simon Dobbin was attacked after the match between Southend United and Cambridge United in March 2015

Twelve men have appeared in court accused of killing a Cambridge United fan after a match.

Simon Dobbin had just watched his side play Southend United when he was seriously injured in an incident outside the Railway Tavern pub on 21 March 2015.

The dad, from Mildenhall, Suffolk, was left permanently brain-damaged and died from his injuries in October 2020, aged 48.

Appearing at Basildon Crown Court charged with manslaughter, eleven of the defendants were bailed ahead of a plea hearing on 8 September.

Judge Samantha Cohen fixed a provisional trial date for 5 April 2027 and warned each of the accused they must attend it.

Those appearing in the dock were:

  • Greg Allen, 38, of Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex
  • Scott Nicholls, 49, of Basildon, Essex
  • Lewis Courtnell, 43, of Leigh-on-Sea, Essex
  • Rhys Pullen, 30, of Maldon, Essex
  • Jamie Chambers, 33, of Southend-on-Sea
  • Philip McGill, 41, of Westcliff-on-Sea
  • Matthew Petchey, 35, of Westcliff-on-Sea
  • Thomas Randall, 31, of Leigh-on-Sea
  • Michael Shawyer, 40, of Leigh-on-Sea
  • Alexander Woods, 34, of Westcliff-on-Sea
  • James Woods, 34, of Nawton, North Yorkshire

Another man, 40-year-old Ryan Carter, also appeared at the hearing via a video link from HMP The Mount. He was remanded in custody.

News imageNicole Dobbin Simon Dobbin lying in a hospital bed, looking his daughter in the eye. She is holding his head and leaning towards him.Nicole Dobbin
Simon Dobbin was put into a medically-induced coma and found himself unable to walk or talk upon waking up

Prosecutors at the hearing alleged each defendant "jointly participated in the unlawful killing of Simon Dobbin".

They were all charged with manslaughter in February.

Dobbin was among the Cambridge United faithful who watched the League Two clash at Roots Hall, which ended goalless.

He stayed for a post-match drink in the Blue Boar pub and was injured as he walked to Prittlewell railway station.

The supporter was left unable to walk or talk and died from his injuries on 21 October 2020.

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