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An Aston Villa fan who admitted assaulting a nine-year-old Manchester City supporter after a cup final defeat is facing an internal probe my his employers Royal Mail.
Postman Simon Ebdon was handed a three-year football banning order and ordered to carry out 80-hours community service after punching the lad in the face at Wembley Stadium railway station following the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, March 1.
The 54-year-old, from Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire, pleaded guilty to assault by beating at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court in north London, and was sentenced on Monday, September 28.
He can now be revealed as a postman with the Royal Mail, who have confirmed they are examining the case. A spokesperson told BirminghamLive: “We are reviewing the situation.”
Ebdon was also ordered by JPs to pay £250 compensation and a victim surcharge of £90 as well as Crown court costs of £85 during last week’s hearing.
The victim’s father from the Midlands – who cannot be named for legal reasons due to the age of his son – said it was “despicable and cowardly act.”
Speaking after the case, he said: “I still can’t believe it. It’s been the most horrendous time for us.”
Explaining how the incident unfolded, he added: “We follow Manchester City home and away and we were getting the same train back as the Villa fans.
“There was a massive queue of about 1,000 Villa fans at the station. The City fans were just walking past as there was no delay for their train.”
He said a man was abusing City fans and his son, who was wearing a club top, began crying.
“I grabbed my son’s hand and we left the queue to get a different train,” he said. “An Villa fan lifted up a steel barrier, which was separating the fans. As we went through the barrier I looked and saw my son on the floor.
“My son then told me he had been punched in the face. I never saw it. I punish myself now – how could I not see it?
“There was a commotion and the police were there.”
“My son had bruising to his check and is mentally scarred by it. He was referred to get some support over it but because of Covid-19 that hasn’t happened yet.
“I said to him that this won’t stop us doing something we love. It’s not going to keep us away from our beloved City.”
Ebdon was unavailable for comment despite repeated attempts by BirminghamLive.
