Doncaster man jailed after drunken brawl at races

A drunken man who assaulted another race-goer when he was asked to leave Doncaster Races has been jailed for 56 days.
Doncaster Racecourse Main StandDoncaster Racecourse Main Stand
Doncaster Racecourse Main Stand

Adam John Neesham, aged 25, of Grange Road, Bessacarr, had visited Doncaster Racecourse with a group of male friends on March 28 last year. But they were asked to leave after drinking too much alcohol, Sheffield Crown Court heard.

Megan Rhys, prosecuting, told the court that Neesham and his friends were asked to leave the venue, of Leger Way, at around 6.15pm.

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“They were asked to leave because they were being noisy. At the same time, another group of men who were not known to the defendant were also asked to leave.

“Once they were outside the violence started. Up until that point there had been no violence. It seems the first act of aggression or violence came from this defendant. The defendant was seen to run at one of the group.”

She added that Neesham, who was charged with assault by beating and racial or religious harassment, appeared to remove his watch, as if poised for a fight.

She said that as a result of Neesham’s actions, members of the complaining group of men were punched in the face, placed in headlocks and dragged across the car park.

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Edward Moss, mitigating, said Neesham was ashamed by his actions and also sorry for the trouble he had caused.

“He is usually an upstanding member of the community who runs two companies.

“He was immature and he wishes to move on. He says that this is the last time he will appear before this court or any other,” he said.

Sentencing Neesham to 56 days in prison, Judge Robert Moore said: “The fact is he was the man who started the problems. Because of his actions one man received serious injuries.”

The defendant was also ordered to pay a £80 surcharge fee.

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Kieran Gallagher, executive director at Doncaster Racecourse, said: “We promote a responsible drinking policy at Doncaster Racecourse and encourage all our visitors to observe it. Our staff are trained to provide an outstanding experience for all race-goers.

“At the same time we have a huge responsibility to safeguard all visitors to our course and will uphold this, which on occasion has resulted in the removal of some race-goers not adhering to decent social behaviour and causing upset amongst others.

“We do not condone any violence or anti-social behaviour and expect all our visitors to act in an appropriate manner.”

A spokesman added that the racecourse did not have any further information about the incident, and it was not possible to say whether any course of action, such as a ban, had been taken against Neesham.