May 11, 2026 - 245 views
A former professional footballer has narrowly avoided being sent to prison after elbowing an opponent in the face during a match in Porthmadog.
Thomas Taylor, 36, of Llanddona near Beaumaris, admitted assaulting Daniel Brookwell and causing actual bodily harm during the game on January 17.
Prosecutors told the court the incident was a “purposeful assault” and rejected claims that Taylor had been provoked beforehand.
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.”
The court heard Mr Brookwell had been knocked unconscious following the elbow to the face.
Defending Taylor, Mr Roberts said his client accepted his behaviour was “inexcusable” and wanted to apologise.
The court was told Taylor had previously played professionally for Shrewsbury Town F.C. and had also been coaching and occasionally playing for an Anglesey club.
Mr Roberts said Taylor suffered from diabetes and believed his blood sugar levels, combined with the alleged provocation, may have contributed to the incident.
Court chairman Gwilym Morgan told Taylor: “This was a serious offence and we believe that it has crossed the custody threshold.”
Taylor was handed a 24-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay £200 compensation, a £154 surcharge and £85 in costs.
Following the incident, Trearddur Bay F.C. said the player involved had been released by the club with immediate effect after an internal review.
