Coach who assaulted a linesman at North Wales football match appears in court
A former football coach has been sentenced to 24 weeks in prison for punching a linesman during a match – but magistrates suspended the sentence for 12 months.
Robert Williams-Jones, 44, of Amlwch, pleaded guilty to the assault when he appeared before Caernarfon magistrates on Monday.
Williams-Jones was arrested and later charged with a Section 47 ABH: Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm following an incident at the North Wales Coast West Premier League game between Amlwch Town and Penrhyndeudraeth on April 27, 2024.
It was alleged Amlwch coach Williams-Jones punched the stand-in linesman, who was one of the Penrhyndeudraeth substitutes, to the ground.
The incident was captured on film and spread widely on social media in the ensuing few days.
North Wales Police appealed at the time for sharing of the footage to cease while they carried out enquiries.
Amlwch Town, who had appointed Williams-Jones as joint-manager in May 2022, dismissed him on May 1, 2024, and apologised to Penrhyndeudraeth for the incident.
As well as receiving a 24-week jail sentence suspended for 12 months, Williams-Jones was fined £1,000, ordered to carry out 150 hours’ unpaid work and engage on a 15-day rehabilitation activities course.
The Football Association of Wales have been approached for a comment.