Many of you will be aware that we`ve carried a couple of articles relating to an incident involving a Chelsea fan, Cliff Auger, after the FA Cup tie with Queens Park Rangers.
The second of these articles revolved around the court case verdict and an appeal to raise funds to support Cliff who was unjustly dealt with.
This morning we received a communication from Cliff, thanking all those who donated to his cause and also an update on where matters currently lie.
This is reproduced below,
As many of you may know after the QPR FA Cup game in January my two sons, two of their friends and me were caught up in a particularly nasty incident. We were walking back to my car on the way home after the game when one of my son`s friends aged 15 stopped to use the toilet in the Goose pub on the North End Road.
Unfortunately while he was in there the police arrived and “locked down” the pub stopping anyone from entering or leaving. This was due to a minor disturbance further up the road involving opposing supporters.
Despite repeated polite requests from me and my eldest (16) son the police would not allow us to be re united with the missing child. We were allowed, by the police officers we spoke to, to stand nearby to one of the pubs exits until such time that we could meet up again.
The police dog handlers arrived shortly after and started pushing people away from the pub. During this time one of the officers pushed a man into my youngest son (13) and as I shouted at them to be careful I heard a cry of pain from my other son and turned round to see a police dog with its teeth sunk into the back of his leg.
Instinctively I kicked out at the dog to try and remove it from my son. Luckily this had the desired effect and the dog turned its attention to me and clamped onto my leg. I was then jumped on by a number of police officers and curled up in the “foetal position” trying to protect myself from the baton strikes, punches and kicks that were coming my way.
After one particularly savage kick I felt the wind knocked out of me and I was unable to breathe properly. As I lay on the ground I heard my eldest son cry out for help and I managed to look over to see him being pinned down by a number of police officers and another came over and punch him in the face.
I was handcuffed and hauled to my feet. As I was unable to breathe properly the handcuffs were removed from behind my back and relocked in front of me. My son and I were arrested and taken to Shepherds Bush police station. All the time I was complaining about breathing difficulties and twice I was on the verge of passing out.
At the police station after some time the police doctor was summoned to examine me and he recommended an ambulance was called to take me to hospital. After being left alone in the police cell for some time the ambulance arrived and took me to Charring Cross hospital where I was diagnosed with four broken ribs and a punctured lung. An emergency operation took place to re inflate my lung and I spent the next four days in hospital. I had to have six (unpaid) weeks off work.
Subsequently I was charged with “causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal” and “threatening behaviour/words.” On October 14th I was found guilty of the dog charge and fined £515. The threatening behaviour/words charge was thrown out completely.
Following the incident itself and also since the verdict of the court case I have been overwhelmed by the support my family and me have received from Chelsea fans and football fans in general. A collection was made to help pay for the fine and I`m pleased to say this has succeeded in covering the entire cost of the fine. Money has arrived from Chelsea supporters mostly but contributions have also come from fans of clubs all over the country. We have also received wonderful support and help from the Football Supporters Federation.
I would also like to add there is an ongoing investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission and Civil action against the police is also pending.
Unfortunately this matter has sometime to continue yet.
On behalf of my family and myself, I would like to say a huge, heartfelt thank you to everyone who has been so kind to us and offered their help and support in what has been a particularly torrid time for us all.
We`ll endeavour to keep you informed of any further developments.
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