THIRTEEN men are to face charges in connection with a serious disturbance near a Southend pub that left a football supporter with life changing injuries.

Simon Dobbin, 44, was among a small group of Cambridge United supporters who were assaulted in East Street, Southend, outside the Railway pub, at about 7.15pm on March 21, 2015.

Mr Dobbin, from Mildenhall in Suffolk, is still undergoing rehabilitation after suffering a serious head injury.

The incident took place about two hours after a match between Southend United and Cambridge United at Roots Hall.

Following consultation between Essex Police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), 12 men have been summonsed to appear at court and one has been charged.

Eleven have been summonsed to face charges of affray.

They are:

  • Lewis Courtnell, 33, a fence installer, of Stadium Road, Southend.
  • Jamie Chambers, 22, unemployed, of Coleman Street, Southend.
  • Thomas Randall, 21, a consumer credit employee, of Seaforth Avenue, Southend.
  • Michael Shawyer, 30, a tiler, of Belgrave Road, Leigh-on-Sea.
  • Matthew Petchey, 24, a labourer, of Lascelles Gardens, Rochford.
  • Alexander Woods, 24, of Fairmead Avenue, Westcliff.
  • Philip McGill, 31, an electrician, of Hornby Avenue, Westcliff.
  • Greg Allen, 28, a painter, of Artillery Avenue, Shoeburyness.
  • Rhys Pullen, 20, a telecommunications engineer of Bridge Road, Wickford.
  • James Woods, 24, a chef, of Fairmead Avenue, Westcliff.
  • Scott Nicholls, 40, a construction worker, of Sherwood Close, Langdon Hills.

Ryan Carter, 20, unemployed, of York Road, Southend, was charged with affray after answering bail on July 22.

Ian Young, 40, an electrician, of Brightwell Avenue, Westcliff, has been summonsed to face charges of assisting an offender and possession of a weapon for the discharge of a noxious liquid or gas or an electrical incapacitation device.

All are due to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on September 2.

Detective Chief Inspector Martin Pasmore, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “This has been a thorough and complex investigation and I would like to thank Mr Dobbin’s family for their continued support.

“Thirteen people now face charges but we are continuing our enquiries and ask anyone who believes they have information relating to the incident to contact us as soon as possible.”

Punam Malhan, Senior District Crown Prosecutor for CPS East of England, said: “We provided advice to the police during their investigation into the assault on Mr Dobbin and identified actions for the police to pursue in working together to build a strong case against the suspects.

“We have now reviewed the evidence against these individuals and are satisfied that under the Code for Crown Prosecutors – which sets the standards against which all cases are reviewed - there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and it is in the public interest for them to be prosecuted.

“I would like to remind all concerned that these individuals have a right to a fair trial.

“It is very important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online that could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

Anyone with information should contact the Harlow Major Investigation Room on 01279 621802 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org