Eleven men have appeared in court charged with manslaughter following the death of Cambridge United fan Simon Dobbin. The 48-year-old was left permanently brain-damaged after a violent assault on his way home from a match in Southend, Essex, in 2015. He died five years later, on October 21, 2020.
Brutal Attack Outside Southend Pub
The attack happened after a 0-0 draw between Cambridge United and Southend United in March 2015. Violence broke out outside the Railway Tavern pub in Southend. Simon Dobbin, a former RAF serviceman and transport manager, was left unable to walk, talk, or control his movements.
Eleven Defendants Face Court
The defendants, aged 29 to 49 and all from Essex, sat side-by-side at Colchester Magistrates Court on Tuesday. They include:
- Greg Allen, 37, Westcliff-on-Sea
- Jamie Chambers, 33, Southend-on-Sea
- Lewis Courtnell, 43, Leigh-on-Sea
- Philip McGill, 41, Westcliff-on-Sea
- Scott Nicholls, 49, Basildon
- Matthew Petchey, 35, Westcliff-on-Sea
- Rhys Pullen, 29, Maldon
- Thomas Randall, 31, Leigh-on-Sea
- Michael Shawyer, 40, Leigh-on-Sea
- Alexander Woods, 34, Westcliff-on-Sea
- James Woods, 34, Westcliff-on-Sea
Another man, Ryan Carter, 40, is due to face court later.
Family Mourns as Justice Moves Forward
Mr Dobbin’s family, who cared for him around the clock at their home in Mildenhall, Suffolk, watched the hearing from the public gallery. After the attack, the family received support from BBC One’s DIY SOS, which helped adapt their home for Simon’s care needs in a 2019 episode featuring a physiotherapy space and wet room.
Simon also received a standing ovation from Cambridge United fans when he returned to the club in October 2016.
Deputy District Judge Natalie Plant granted unconditional bail to the defendants ahead of their pre-trial hearing at Basildon Crown Court on May 1.
