Footballer sentenced after disgusting violent elbow incident as victim speaks out

Footballer Tom Taylor has been sentenced after a disgusting violent elbow incident as his victim Danny Brookwell speaks out.

Taylor appeared in court and pleaded guilty to the assault on Daniel Brookwell during Porthmadog’s 3-2 win over Trearddur Bay in the During Cynghrair Lock Stock Ardal North West League.

Brookwell was struck in the face and fell to the ground, footage emerged. James Roberts (@ifan_tomos) captioned it: “ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING FROM TREARDDUR BAY SHOULD GET BANNED FOR LIFE DISGRACE!! @CPDPorthmadogFC.”

As per North Wales Chronicle, Thomas Taylor, 36, of Allt Bron Philip, Llanddona, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Caernarfon Magistrates Court on Monday (May 11), sentenced to 24 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for a year.

He has also been ordered to pay compensation to Brookwell of £200, a surcharge of £154, and costs of £85.

The footage quickly racked up millions of views within 12 hours of being posted. The incident has been strongly condemned as completely unacceptable in football at any level.

In the game, Tom Taylor was already on a yellow card. But in regards to this incident, avoided being sent off.

ABSOLUTELY DISTGUSTING FROM TREADDUR BAY
TOM TAYLOR SHOULD GET BANNED FOR LIFE
DISGRACE!!@CPDPorthmadogFC pic.twitter.com/RphcdlOGMY

— James Roberts (@ifan_tomos) January 17, 2026

Trearddur Bay said in a statement after the incident: “Following an Extraordinary General Meeting of the clubs committee and completion of the clubs internal processes. Trearddur Bay Football Club provides an update regarding the on field incident vs Porthmadog FC.

“Following an internal review, the decision was taken to release the suspended player involved with immediate effect.

“Trearddur Bay Football Club does not condone violence in any form and acknowledges that the incident should not have occurred.

“The club offers its sincere apologies to the opposition player involved, CPD Porthmadog, match officials, supporters, and the wider football community.

“The club will fully cooperate with any external investigations or disciplinary processes and will make no further comment at this time while these matters are ongoing.”

Police also issued a statement at the time: “North Wales Police are aware of a video circulating online relating to an incident that occurred at a football match between Treaddur Bay FC and Porthmadog FC on Saturday (17 January).

“Officers have been making enquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident. As part of this investigation a 35-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault. He remains in police custody at this time.”

Those in court were informed that both Taylor and the victim knew each other for a several years before the incident.

As per the Mirror, Porthmadog received a penalty, with Taylor and Brookwell standing “basically shoulder to shoulder” on the pitch, waiting for it to be taken.

After being struck in the head, Brookwell told court that he felt blood coming from his mouth and nose, with his face left numb. A photo of his injured lip was shown to the court as well as a video of the assault.

Prosecutor Diane Williams told Caernarfon Magistrates that Brookwell had described: ”I suddenly hit the floor. I didn’t realise I was on the floor until after a few seconds.”

Brookwell said he felt dizzy, and added in his statement: “A young male showed me the footage of what had happened.

“I was quite shocked. I don’t understand what caused this. Being knocked unconscious during a football match was deeply distressing.

”I found it very difficult to return to football in the same way. The incident has taken away the confidence and enjoyment I once had playing the game.

“Something I loved and enjoyed for most of my life now brings periods of anxiety and stress, instead of happiness.”

The prosecution said: ”The defendant said he had been fouled by the victim previously and just before the incident that he had been provoked to the point he was threatened. That’s not the case at all. It was a purposeful assault.”

Defence solicitor Glyn Roberts: ”Prior to the assault, which the defendant has admitted, he will maintain the victim said words to the effect ‘I will break your f***ing legs, you m***‘.”

Roberts said Taylor accepted his conduct was “inexcusable”, feels “full remorse, and wanted to say sorry.

He added: “He accepts that the conduct was inexcusable, and whatever threat or abuse was uttered to him didn’t justify what followed.

“He’s been vilified on social media. Threats have been made against him.”

Taylor had diabetes and believed his blood-sugar level and “provocation” may have affected him.

Roberts added: ”The consequences for him have been significant. He’s been vilified on social media, threats have been made against him. He asks the court to consider the provocation in this case.”

Court chairman Gwilym Morgan said to Taylor: ”This was a serious offence and we believe that it has crossed the custody threshold.”

Taylor had no previous convictions, but was cautioned back in 2022 for actual bodily harm.

In January, Taylor was suspended from playing and watching football matches by the FA Wales, with Trearddur Bay FC also suspended him the day after the incident, then went on to release him.