
Man City supporter imprisoned for causing £10k destruction to police vehicle in violent outburst.
Man City fan locked up for £10k harm to police van
A Manchester City supporter who hopped onto a police van while celebrating his team's Champions League triumph in 2023 has been sent to prison.
Leon Blackett, aged 22, bounced on the vehicle alongside other happy fans in Manchester city center on 10 June, reports Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
City had just defeated Inter Milan 1-0 in Istanbul to secure the treble of Champions League, FA Cup, and Premier League trophies. Blackett, from Didsbury, admitted to a football-related disorder charge after causing over £10,000 worth of damage to the police van, and has been jailed for three months.
He also received a separate sentence of three years and five months for possession of a bladed article and a domestic-related communications offense, according to a GMP spokeswoman. In addition, Blackett was issued a seven-year football banning order.
'Unacceptable'
The court was informed that the city center witnessed a "large influx of fans in high spirits" following the Champions League Final victory. The situation turned chaotic as Blackett and several others climbed the van, leaped on it, and caused over £10,000 worth of damage, resulting in the vehicle being written off.
Investigators used CCTV and social media footage to identify those responsible, leading to Blackett's arrest on 19 October 2023.
PC Matt Ford of GMP condemned Blackett's actions as "completely unacceptable."
"This serves as a timely reminder to those engaging in criminal activities while supporting football in another country that we will prosecute for unacceptable behavior," he added.
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Tags: manchester, city, fan, police, van, damage
Saturday 22nd Mar 2025