A former football manager who punched a young linesman during a match has been spared jail.
Robert Williams-Jones was the manager of Amlwch Town FC when he punched a teenager in a game where his team eventually lost 8-0 to a rival team in North Wales.
The linesman – who was a member of the visiting Penrhyndeudraeth FC squad – was sent to the floor following a blow to the chin just 15 minutes into the North Wales Coast West Premier League match in April 2024.
Footage of the punch near the dug outs was shared widely online while police launched an investigation into the incident.
Williams-Jones, of Eilian, Llaneilian, near Amlwch, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm after being charged over the incident.
The 43-year-old was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months at Caernarfon Magistrates Court on Monday.
He was also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £1,000 in compensation.
The video footage showed the linesman gets back to his feet as the staff member returns to their bench, before Penrhyn boss Riccardo Pellegrino comes over and helps his player up to his feet.
Robert Williams-Jones (pictured) was the manager of Amlwch Town FC when he punched a linesman after his team were losing 8-0 to a rival team in North Wales
Footage shows the linesman and Amlwch manger crossing paths on the touchline in the first half
Williams-Jones then punches the volunteering linesman in the face sending him to the ground
The rest of the Penrhyn squad then come running over to the scene, but Pellegrino prevents any conflict by ushering them away, though the team remain in close proximity.
One of Pellegrino’s assistants appears to then talk to the figure that aimed the punch in a bid to calm him down, while other players from the home bench then walk over.
Amlwch Town said they had cut ties with the former manager, who was joint-manager in May 2022, shortly after the incident and apologised to both Penrhyn and the linesman.
In a previous statement, the club said: ‘As a club we have been truly saddened by the events on the weekend.’
North Wales Police previously said: ‘We were called shortly after 4pm on Saturday April 27th to report an assault during a football match in Amlwch.’
Penrhyn would go on to win the game 8-0 in a dominant showing in the amateur clash.
Cai Henshaw netted four in the hefty win, while Tom Hughes netted twice and Deio Hughes and Gwion Davis got the other two.
Pellegrino added on Facebook after the incident: ‘Your behavior on the pitch after what happened was impeccable, I’m proud to coach this fantastic group of lads.
Players from Penryhn rushed to the scene before visiting manager Riccardo Pellegrino ushers them away
‘I’m proud all of you COYC.’
The Wales FA CEO confirmed on social media that they were aware of the incident and condemned the attack.
A statement from Penrhyn after the game read: ‘A fantastic result and performance from the lads today.
‘Unfortunately, the game was marred by an incident which occurred approximately 15 minutes into the game when a Penrhyn player, acting as a voluntary linesman, was assaulted.’
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