Racist football hooligan jailed - UK News Headlines - Life Style Extra

A Neo Nazi thug who orchestrated a pitched battle between rival Aston Villa and Chelsea football hooligans was jailed for 18 months by a judge who branded him a "dangerous man." Gareth Howells was part of a gang of 'Villa Youth' that descended on London for a match against Charlton Athletic on March 27 last year. The 23-year-old convicted racist was already banned from the ground for previous football-related violence so he spent the day drinking around Kings Cross. After the game, Villa and Chelsea fans met in Islington for a pre-arranged battle. Howells led “baying mobs” that left “innocent members of the public of all ages terrified.” Snaresbrook Crown Court heard that Howells has a string of previous convictions, including making a Nazi salute and screaming 'Sieg Heil' after being thrown out of a Birmingham nightclub. He was also twice banned from football matches for three years after being convicted of football related violence incidents, including fighting rivals fans at an England v Wales match at Old Trafford on October 9 last year.