Sidcup and Beckenham men involved in mass disorder

Shocking footage shows a brawl at a sports centre near Coventry involving men from across the country including Anthony O’Donnell, 34, from Sidcup, and Martin J. McDonagh, 35, from Beckenham. 

In the footage men are seeing throwing chairs while others arm themselves with pickaxe handles, axes, knives, and spades from the boots of their vehicles. 

The incident took place in February 2020 at a national amateur junior boxing championship when a group of nearly 60 men arrived in a convoy of 13 vehicles. 

They entered the venue and targeted a small number of men inside, kicking off 20 minutes of violent disorder. 

After arming themselves with weapons some of the men attacked vehicles in the car park before heading back into the venue to attack others. 

One victim was forced to the ground where he was kicked, punched, and slashed with a blade, leaving him with injuries that required stitches on his face. 

Approximately 300 members of the public, mostly kids and young people competing in the championship, witnessed the horror. 

A two-year investigation was carried out by Warwickshire Police, Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police. 

Detective Constable Middleton said: “This was a brazen, outrageous incident that saw people injured and would have caused huge distress to hundreds of members of the public who had simply attended a venue to enjoy a sporting event. 

"Why any member of this group thought they would get away with turning a public venue into a warzone is beyond both me and the rest of the team who took part in this investigation. 

“This has been a huge undertaking and I welcome the sentences handed out. All those involved in this ridiculous, dangerous behaviour now have plenty of time – whether it be through doing unpaid work or sitting in a prison cell – to reflect on their actions. 

"The message is clear – there is no safety in numbers for people involved in violent disorder. Behave like this in our communities, and we’ll be catching up with you.” 

These 23 men have been sentenced for their roles in the disorder (Image: Warwickshire Police)

Sentences 

A total of 23 men were sentenced for their involvement in the disorder. 

The men were jailed for a combined 48 years. 

Among them were a number of men from London including:  

Anthony O’Donnell, 34, of Old Maidstone Road, Sidcup, was given a 22-month prison sentence suspended for two years after pleading guilty to violent disorder. 

Martin J. McDonagh, 35 of Burnhill Close, Beckenham, was jailed for 29 months after he pleaded guilty to violent disorder. 

Denis Murphy, 43, of Golborne Road, North Kensington, was jailed for 28 months after he pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. 

Simon G. O’Donnell Snr, 43, of Stable Way, Shepherd's Bush, was jailed for 30 months after he pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon.  

Simon O’Donnell Jnr, 22, of Stable Way, Shepherd's Bush, was jailed for 30 months after he pleaded guilty to violent disorder. 

Richard O’Donnell, 33 of Stable Way, Shepherd's Bush, pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon. He was jailed for 28 months. 

Simon G. O’Donnell, 36 of Stable Way, Shepherd's Bush, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4 of the Public Order Act concerning threatening words and behaviour. He has been given a sentence of four months imprisonment, suspended for one year, along with 100 hours of unpaid work. 

Jason O’Donnell, 35 of Stable Way, Shepherd's Bush, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4 of the Public Order Act concerning threatening words and behaviour. He was sentenced to three months imprisonment suspended for one year, and 100 hours of unpaid work. 

Daniel North, 37 of Bramley Road, Southgate, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4 of the Public Order Act concerning threatening words and behaviour. He has been given a sentence of three months imprisonment, suspended for one year, along with 80 hours of unpaid work 

Simon C. O’Donnell, 37, of Stable Way, Shepherd's Bush, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4 of the Public Order Act concerning threatening words and behaviour. He has been sentenced to a 12-month community order with 70 hours of unpaid work. 

Brian O’Donnell, 46 of Stable Way, Shepherd's Bush, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 4 of the Public Order Act concerning threatening words and behaviour. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order and 80 hours of unpaid work.