Bolton player faces potential jail sentence after he and his Dad admit to assaulting bouncer

A Bolton Wanderers player faces a potential jail sentence after he and his Dad admit to assaulting a club bouncer last year.

The Trotters midfielder Kyle Dempsey admitted to assaulting a man hours after a friendly match.

This came following his side’s game against League Two outfit Carlisle United, with the 27-year old attacking a Maryport Labour Club doorman on the 16th of July 2022.

 

Dempsey’s father, an ex-professional rugby league player, admitted to the assault at Carlisle Crown Court with both of them being granted unconditional bail before being sentenced on the 11th of April.

Dempsey, who is from Blackpool, and his father, had indicated that they would not plead guilty to assault causing bodily harm.

After the pre-season fixture, which was won by the Cumbrian outfit 3-1, the pair are said to have got themselves into an argument.

A prosecutor alleged that Kyle and Michael Dempsey were involved in a “group assault” that left the victim with heavy bleeding to his head from a cut, bruised and broken nose.

The defendants were offered a basis for pleading, and according to their legal team, they stated that self-defence by both of them was “a bit excessive”.

Peter Barr asked for time to review the basis and decide if it was acceptable, reports the BBC.

In the next few weeks, a court hearing will be held to determine whether the case will go on to sentence immediately or whether a judge should hear evidence regarding events that took place on the night, before imposing a  punishment.

Michael Dempsey, 50, Whitecroft, Maryport, admitted to damaging a club door.

Judge Richard Archer said that all sentencing options, including jail, were available to the duo.

Judge Archer told them: “The fact that I am re-admitting you to bail and the fact that I am ordering pre-sentence reports in each of your cases should not be taken as any indication by either or both of you as to what the likely sentence will be.

“All sentencing options remain open, up to and including a custodial sentence.”

After the incident, League One side Bolton Wanderers wrote a statement confirmed they were aware of the incident.

‘Kyle Dempsey and his father were enjoying an evening out with their family in their home town of Maryport following Saturday’s pre-season friendly against his former club Carlisle United,’ a spokesman said.

‘During the course of the evening, they were both subjected to an unprovoked assault which left them requiring medical treatment.

‘The Dempsey family will receive the full support of chairman Sharon Brittan, manager Ian Evatt and the club while the incident is being investigated by Cumbria Police.

‘No further comment will be made at this time.’

Kyle Dempsey previously played for the likes of Carlisle United, Huddersfield Town, Fleetwood Town, Peterborough United and Gillingham.

His first court appearance came three weeks after he shared his frustration after his car was broken into.

He took to Instagram to uploaded a photo of his black car that had the windows smashed.

Kyle reportedly now lives in Manchester and was thought to be out with his car parked when this happened.

He wrote on Instagram: “I honestly have no words for people like this.

“Seven’O’Clock in the morning smashing into my car.”

He wrote another post with a warning to the public over the amount of car crime, adding he had left something valuable in the car but didn’t mention what the item was.

He said: “Anyone in the Manchester area be safe where parking your car.

“Eight months ago, I’ve parked here and the one day I’ve left something valuable in there, it gets smashed into.

“Don’t make the same mistake.”

Kyle Dempsey’s career

Youth career
–2014 – Carlisle United

Senior career
2014–2015 – Carlisle United – 51 games (11 goals)
2015–2017 – Huddersfield Town – 24 games (1 goal)
2016–2020- → Fleetwood Town (loan) – 114 games (6 goals)
2019 → Peterborough United (loan) – 11 games (0 goals)
2020–2022 – Gillingham – 66 games (9 goals)
2022– Bolton Wanderers – 51 games (4 goals)
Total – 337 games (31 goals)

Honours

Individual
Carlisle United Player of the Year: 2014–15
Fleetwood Town Young Player of the Year: 2016–17
Gillingham Player of the Year: 2020–21