Sheffield Wednesday fan ‘could have been killed’ after police officer smashed teen on head with baton

A Sheffield Wednesday fan hit over his head with a police baton ‘could have been killed,’ claims the teenager who filmed the incident on his phone.
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Spencer White, who filmed the incident after Sheffield Wednesday played Barnsley away, captured the moment an officer struck a 16-year-old boy on his head –leaving him with a gaping wound pouring with blood.

The incident came at the end of the 1-1 draw as football fans had left Oakwell.

Sheffield Wednesday fan hit with baton - Credit: @spencer_bfc/PA WireSheffield Wednesday fan hit with baton - Credit: @spencer_bfc/PA Wire
Sheffield Wednesday fan hit with baton - Credit: @spencer_bfc/PA Wire

A police investigation into the incident has been launched.

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Spencer, who filmed the incident, said there had been trouble between the two sets of fans after the match, as they both headed towards the town's transport interchange.

A Sheffield Wednesday fan was injured after he was struck over his head with a police batonA Sheffield Wednesday fan was injured after he was struck over his head with a police baton
A Sheffield Wednesday fan was injured after he was struck over his head with a police baton

The Barnsley fan said: “There were fights popping off randomly.

“Every two or three minutes there was a crowd of people getting rowdy.

“As I got to the train station there were two lads fighting, one a Barnsley fan and one a Sheffield Wednesday fan.

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“I pulled out my phone to record it and the video shows the rest.”

Sheffield Wednesday fan hit with baton - Credit: @spencer_bfc/PA WireSheffield Wednesday fan hit with baton - Credit: @spencer_bfc/PA Wire
Sheffield Wednesday fan hit with baton - Credit: @spencer_bfc/PA Wire

His film, which has been shared on social media, shows a 16-year-old fan being hit on the head with a baton, then a struggle on the floor, with blood coming out of his head.

Witnesses remonstrated angrily with officers at the scene.

Spencer, also 16, said: “He could have been killed, really.”

Match commander, chief superintendent Sarah Poolman, said: “A full open investigation, including extended video footage, will take place to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the actions which led to a 16-year-old boy sustaining a head injury from an officer's baton and an officer being assaulted, sustaining injuries to his stomach and head.

“The 16-year-old boy was taken to hospital by ambulance.

“The police officer also attended hospital.

“Both of their injuries and not life-threatening.”

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The South Yorkshire branch of the Police Federation urged people to view the footage with caution.

Chairman Steve Kent said: “It is important to stress that people should treat short videos from social media with care as they don’t always show the full context or the events leading up to the incident in question.”