Trio jailed over death of man in fracas after Sheffield United v Rotherham United match

The family of a man judged to have been killed by three men during a confrontation in Rotherham town centre has revealed how they have been left suffering a “living nightmare”.
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Sheffield Crown Court heard on July 7 how 38-year-old Daniel Dix, of Munsbrough, Rotherham, was punched by Kyle Beech on Bridgegate as Liam Green and Brock Playforth encouraged the violence on March 9, last year, during a confrontation between Rotherham United fans.

Mr Dix was punched to the ground by Beech and his head struck the pavement, according to Mr Justice Robin Spencer, and this defendant was backed-up by Green and Playforth.

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The court heard Mr Dix died in hospital from a head and brain injury a week later on March 16.

Daniel Dix.Daniel Dix.
Daniel Dix.

His partner Adelle Haigh, and the mother of his daughter, said: “This is a living nightmare for myself and Danny’s family and our daughter.”

She added: “I have lost my first love and worst of all I cannot fix my daughter’s broken heart.”

Beech aged, 27, of Lansbury Avenue, Rotherham, Green, aged 23, of Rotherham Road, Rotherham, and Playforth, aged 26, of North Anston, Sheffield, were found guilty of manslaughter after a trial in March.

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The court heard a confrontation had developed on Bridgegate between two groups of Rotherham football fans after they had made their way to the town following Rotherham United’s away match against Sheffield United.

Kyle BeechKyle Beech
Kyle Beech

Mr Dix was part of a group coming from the Angel pub, according to the court, which clashed with another group including Beech, Playforth and Green coming from the County pub and Beech punched Mr Dix twice and he was backed-up during the attack by Green and Playforth.

Mr Justice Spencer said after Beech’s first punch, Mr Dix drew back his right arm to throw a punch in self-defence but Beech struck him again with a very hard punch to the face and he fell to the ground.

Mr Justice Spencer added: “The back of his head struck the road surface with an audible crack, fracturing his skull and causing severe and irreversible brain damage. He never regained consciousness.”

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As a further confrontation and affray developed between the two groups of supporters, Playforth kicked and stamped on another complainant before punching him.

Brock Playforth.Brock Playforth.
Brock Playforth.

Dapinder Singh, representing Beech, claimed Beech had tried to break others up during the affray and Kath Goddard, defending Green, said Green had not been the instigator.

Nicholas Rhodes, defending Playforth, argued Playforth’s role had been a minor one.

Beech was also found guilty of affray and Playforth and Green admitted affray. Playforth was also convicted of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm.

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Mr Justice Spencer sentenced Beech to nine-years of custody and sentenced Green to six-years of custody.

Liam GreenLiam Green
Liam Green

Playforth was sentenced to eight-years of custody but must serve two-thirds of that term before he can be considered for release. Playforth will also have to spend a further three years on licence at the end of the full eight-year term.

Four other men have pleaded guilty to affray after the incident and are to be sentenced at a later date.