Millwall fan jailed for more than six years after slashing rival Everton supporter across face before FA Cup tie

A Millwall fan has been jailed for more than six years after he slashed a rival Everton supporter across the face with a knife during fighting between fans before an FA Cup tie.

Billy Cowap, 29, of Riddons Road, Lewisham was sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Monday after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing.

The court heard how on January 26, 2019 between 4pm and 4.45pm fighting broke out between Millwall and Everton football fans before the fourth round FA Cup match at The Den.

A large group of Everton fans got off a train at Surrey Quays and made their way to a nearby pub in Old Rotherhithe Road.

They assaulted people outside the pub and threw bottles and chairs. In retaliation Millwall supporters at the pub threw glasses and chairs.

Officers and the British Transport Police attended and separated the fans via a cordon.

As Everton fans retreated to a nearby estate, Millwall fans approached them and a smaller fight took place before it was broken up. As the Everton fans left the estate on to Hawkstone Road they were approached by more Millwall fans.

A massive fight then took place between the two groups, involving more than 100 people.

During the violence, Cowap caused significant injury to a man’s face with a knife.

He attempted to cause serious GBH to one victim, then later slashed the face of another while involved in the disorder.

Officers were able to identify Cowap’s attack via CCTV, body worn video and social media footage.

They were also able to place him at the scene by analysing his phone call data and cell site data.

The knife used was recovered at the scene and officers identified that the colour of the knife matched the weapon Cowap was seen carrying in videos of the incident.

Cowap was sentenced to six years and eight months’ imprisonment for GBH, three years and four months for attempted GBH, and one year for violent disorder, to be served concurrently.

He was also issued with a 10 year football banning order.

He was sentenced alongside seven other men following public disorder that took place in Rotherhithe Old Road and Hawkstone Road, Southwark on that day.

Alex Jarvis, 34, of Donaldson Road, Greenwich was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months, 40 hours unpaid work, £140 for court costs and a three year football banning order. He had pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Charlie Foster, 22, of Castleton Road, Bromley was sentenced to 100 hours’ unpaid work, £85 for court costs and a three-year football banning order. He had pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Dean West, 34, of Osprey Road, Hampshire was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months, 80 hours unpaid work, £140 for court costs and a four-year football banning order. He had pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Gary Kenyon, 33, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 120 hours’ unpaid work, £85 for court costs and a three-year football banning order. He had pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Jack Cracknell, 24, of Melville Road, Sidcup, Harry Banks, 22, of Lamerock Road, Bromley, and Brett Taylor, 25, of Openshaw Road, Abbey Wood, were all sentenced to 90 hours’ unpaid work, £85 for court costs and a three-year football banning order. They had pleaded guilty to violent disorder.

Detective Constable Phil Dickinson, from the Met’s Public Order Command, said: “This type of disorder is incredibly dangerous and led to a violent attack which left a victim with lasting injuries which have required numerous surgeries.

“The sentences given to these men reflect the severity of the events that took place. Violence between football fans will not be tolerated and we will continue our work to keep London safe during sport matches.”

Pictured top: Hawkstone Road, in Southwark (Picture: Google Street View)