Prison threat to footballer who headbutted rival

It took jurors less than half an hour to convict Shaun Dallimore, 24, of causing grievous bodily harm to Steve Green in an off the ball incident.

The Hythe and Dibden central midfield player (below) was left with a fractured right cheekbone, which still leaves him with sensations in the face nearly 11 months after the brutal attack.

Adjourning sentence, Judge Nicholas Rowland said he took “a dim view” of the evidence of the defendant and two witnesses who could not have seen what they had claimed to see.

Southampton Crown Court heard the drama happened shortly before half time when Hythe were winning their home Wessex Division 1 match against Tadley Calleva.

Witnesses described how the game had been played in a normal competitive spirit before Hythe were awarded a free kick just outside Tadley’s penalty area.

Mr Green said there was the usual pushing and shoving jostling between players to get the best position when Dallimore twice trod on his foot and then threatened him, “I’m going to smash you in a minute.”

The free kick was then taken and as he turned to run into the penalty area, Dallimore grabbed his shirt at shoulder level and headbutted him in the face, sending him crashing to the ground and leaving him unconscious for about six minutes.

Dallimore, who was playing centre back for the Tadley club, said if he had stepped on Mr Green’s foot, it had been accidental and said Mr Green had pinched him.

He was supported by two witnesses, Club captain and goal keeper Darren Maunder and former team mate Simon Bird who both said there was no deliberate headbutt.

Dallimore, who shook his head when the guilty verdict was announced, received a reprimand for battery seven years ago the court heard.

Prosecutor Eleanor Fargin read an impact statement in which Mr Green, who worked with children suffering significant behaviour problems, had to take sick leave and was then restricted to light duties.

He had restricted vision for three months and still suffering from sensations in his face.

He and his wife, Sian, are emigrating to Australia next month.

A judge warned Dallimore, of Woodlands Road, Baughurst, Tadley, that all sentencing options, including an immediate prison sentence, would be considered.