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Non league ref punched, chased from pitch then car damaged by sent off player

A non league ref was punched, was chased from the pitch then saw his car damaged by a sent off player during a Sunday League game.

In 2019, the official was repeatedly attacked and kicked when he sent off a footballer for foul play when Sunderland Last Orders FC took on Easington Leathercaps in the Durham County Sunday Cup.

Dylan Jardin, 22, was given a red card by 20 year old ref Matthew Heath during an 11-a-side Sunday morning game in Sunderland a few years back.

Furious Jardin ran towards him and punched him on his right cheek, a court heard in April 2021. He was left sore and with many bruises with the parents saying they were pressing charges.

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His assault knocked Mr Heath to the ground – and his assailant then kicked his back and legs up to five times as players tried to drag him off.

Prosecutor James Long said Jardin’s anger, during the game did not end there.

The Sunderland Last Orders player chased university student Mr Heath to his car and kicked and smashed a wing mirror.

And when the referee made his way back to the pitch to get his stuff, Jardin said: “You better not be calling the police.”

He then kicked Mr Heath’s legs away as well as his back and knees a further five times as he lay prostrate, magistrates in South Tyneside heard.

Jardin received a five-year ban from Durham Football Association for the assault at the ground on September the 22nd 2019 – and now faces court justice according to reports.

Mr Long said: “Mr Heath says in a statement that he had received abuse from the defendant in regard of some decisions that he had made.

“It seems to have come to a head when he gave a red card to one of the defendant’s team mates.

“The defendant was heard saying, ‘I’m going to hit him, I’m going to hit him’, and Mr Heath says the defendant moved towards him.

“It’s right to say that as the defendant goes towards Mr Heath, several of his teammates and the opposition team go to stop him, but he seemed undeterred.

“He broke through his teammates and ran towards Mr Heath and punched him on the cheek and punched him four or five times on the back and legs.”

Long said players again tried to prevent the attack from continuing, which allowed Mr Heath to get away briefly to his car.

But Jardin continued and kicked a wing mirror, causing £90 worth of damage, an attack which forced his victim back towards the pitch.

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Long added: “The defendant said, ‘You better not be calling police’. He kicked Mr Heath’s legs away, and he fell to the ground.

“He kicked his back and knees five times. He was pulled off by players and taken to the car park.”

An ambulance was called but the extent of Mr Heath’s injuries were not disclosed to the court.

In a victim statement, Mr Heath said he was now scared to referee matches due to “reactions like this”.

And he said he was fearful of attending Sunderland University in case of retribution from Jardin.

Robin Ford, defending, claimed Jardin was a changed character who now ran a successful business – and even donated to footballing and boxing charities.

He said: “You need to know more about Dylan, you need to know about Dylan in 2021. This offence was in 2019.

“He’s had a child and runs a successful business. The defendant is a different man now to the man who committed this.

“It was a disgusting attack, and he deserves to be punished for it, but a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then.

“There was no real injury, it was the mechanism of the assault. Ironically, he donates to charity, to boxing and football.”

Jardin pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and his case was adjourned for reports.

He was granted unconditional bail and will be sentenced at the same court on Friday, May 14.

Dylan has since seen an article issued by The Chronicle over the incident, saying via his social media account: “The don’t mention the bit were he spat in me face 🤔”

The don’t mention the bit were he spat in me face 🤔

Posted by Dylan Jardin on Tuesday, 13 April 2021

Fans reacted after seeing that a non league ref was punched, was chased from the pitch then saw his car damaged by a sent off player during the Sunday League game…

Keith Duncan: No place for it in the game what so ever, without a referee games can’t be played….

Shaun Mccumiskey: I know the standard of refereeing is bad but that’s a bit much.

James Tate: Just as my 14 year old is about to start a refs course as well…..

Jamie Maverick: 5 year ban.. should be for life and the team should get a huge fine/points deduction. Otherwise you’re always gunna have the problem of absolute divis playing Sunday league looking for a scrap

Mark Bullock: Await for the “what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch” comments 😔 5 year ban is absolutely ridiculous man, it’s time the FA got tougher overall, some players pick up 3 red cards a season every season, pointless them being in the game

Henry Wood: Horrible this. I’m 6ft 1 and have a job that would traditionally lend itself to people who can “handle themselves” but when refereeing a game and hearing “I’m gonna fucking do him.” and “Should I just drop him?” directed at me from behind my back during a game I definitely considered my future as a ref. Totally unacceptable.

Nigel Ferry: Send the cunt to jail pure and simple, doesnt matter how shit “you” think the ref is ,the game would collapse without them!!!!

Tony Short: Should be banned for life by FA, Referees have a hard enough job dealing with gob shits without being physically assaulted by mentally cases

SEE MORE: Referee given 15 month prison sentence and 10-year ban from football

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