Referee Peter Williams felt as though he had been taking his “last breath” during the assault at the hands of Daniel Marks who saw a “red mist of rage” on the pitch in Paddock Wood, Kent
A thug attacked a Sunday league referee because he didn’t like his decisions.
Daniel Marks, aged 50, saw a “red mist of rage” and attacked Peter Williams at the end of the “contentious” match. Mr Williams, 66, told a court he was rendered unconscious and felt as though he had been taking his “last breath” during the assault on the pitch in Paddock Wood, Kent.
Mr Williams, a retired police officer, suffered psychological and physical injuries, including a neck wound. Following a newton hearing this week at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court, Marks ordered to pay a fine of £1,125, as well as compensation of £1,100 to Mr Williams.
Marks, who is a dad of one, admitted the charge of assault, which happened at the end of the game in February 2023. He became unhappy with some of the refereeing decisions during the West Kent Sunday League match between Insulators FC and Dormansland Rockets.
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At the hearing this week, DJ Claire Luxford said: “Mr Williams sustained physical injuries – reddening to his neck, grazing to his face and a cut lip. But there was also a significant psychological impact. His health has been affected, together with his work, both on and off the pitch.
“You are not to contact Peter Williams. You are to leave a venue at which Peter Williams is officiating a football match upon discovery of that fact.”
Mr Williams since stopped refereeing adult football matches and now only officiates youth games. The pensioner said he had never felt “as frightened, helpless or close to death” than during the assault.
Outlining the incident, prosecutor Vicky McGrady said: “This was an assault by Mr Marks on the victim, Peter Williams, on Sunday February 19, 2023.
“Mr Williams was refereeing a local adults football game. Mr Marks was unhappy with some of the decisions made. The game ended in a contentious result, which further aggravated Mr Marks. He assaulted Mr Williams as a result of this..”
Miss McGrady told the court Marks was “angry”, describing himself how a “red mist of rage” descended upon him. Addressing Marks, from Paddock Wood, the lawyer continued: “He approached Mr Williams and made contact by placing his right arm across Mr WIlliams shoulder with a firm grip. It caused swelling to Mr Williams’ neck. It lasted a matter of seconds and Mr Williams fell to the floor.
“In relation to whether or not a punch was made, you found that there was a contact between Mr Marks’ hand or arm and Mr Williams’ lip, the force of which was sufficient for the injuries. You found you can’t be sure Mr Williams lost consciousness.”
Hannah Mirza, defending, told the court that dad-of-one Marks was “genuinely remorseful” and had lost his head in a “moment of frustration”.
“Mr Marks accepts he shouldn’t have acted in that way. He’s genuinely remorseful. He’s a hardworking, family man. His behaviour on this day was entirely out of character. This was an isolated lapse.”
