Latest news with #JakeBalmforth
ITV News
22-05-2025
- ITV News
One-punch killer of rival Blackpool fan in brawl outside pub on the Promenade is jailed
A man who killed a rival football fan with one punch has been jailed. Tony Johnson, who was 55, was among a group of Blackpool supporters who gathered outside the Manchester Pub on the Promenade following the Championship tie with Burnley on March, 4 2023. The pub had been designated for away fans but a disturbance developed between the rival groups, amongst the visiting fans was Jake Balmforth. He was caught on CCTV punching Mr Johnson once in the face, and he suffered a serious head injury. Despite the efforts of emergency services at the scene, and care given by medical staff at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, he died two days later without regaining consciousness. Balmforth, 35, of Tarvin Close, Burnley, was found guilty of manslaughter by a jury at Preston Crown Court after a six-day trial earlier this month. Judge Robert Altham, the Honorary Recorder of Preston, jailed him for five years at the same court on Thursday. Balmforth was also given a nine-year order banning him from football grounds. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fallows of Lancashire Constabulary's Major Investigation Team said: 'My thoughts remain very much with Tony Johnson's family. 'It has been a harrowing experience for them over the last two years, losing a loved one and having to relive the events of the evening of 4 March 2023 during the trial. 'This case shows how outbreaks of violence can lead to tragedy and what the terrible consequences of one punch can be. 'Jake Balmforth was convicted by the jury of Mr Johnson's manslaughter and will have to carry that burden for the rest of his life.' Eight other men who pleaded guilty to affray will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on 4 August.
The Independent
22-05-2025
- The Independent
Football fan killed with one punch in clash outside pub
A Burnley supporter who killed a Blackpool fan with a single punch to the face has been jailed. The disturbance happened outside The Manchester pub on Blackpool Promenade at around 7.20pm on March 4, 2023, hours after the Championship game earlier in the day at Bloomfield Road. Jake Balmforth, 35, punched Tony Johnson, 55, punched Mr Johnson once in the face, and the incident was caught on CCTV. Police at the scene provided emergency medical assistance before Mr Johnson was taken to the Blackpool Victoria Hospital. Mr Johnson, from Blackpool, suffered a serious head injury and died in hospital two days later without regaining consciousness. Balmforth, of Tarvin Close, Burnley, was found guilty of manslaughter by a jury at Preston Crown Court after a six-day trial earlier this month. Balmforth had travelled to the Lancashire resort to watch Burnley and was in the Manchester pub which was a designated pub for Burnley supporters. Mr Johnson was among a group of Blackpool fans who gathered outside the pub. Judge Robert Altham, the Honorary Recorder of Preston, jailed him for five years on Thursday. Balmforth was also issued a nine-year order banning him from football grounds. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Fallows of Lancashire Constabulary 's Major Investigation Team said: 'My thoughts remain very much with Tony Johnson's family. 'It has been a harrowing experience for them over the last two years, losing a loved one and having to relive the events of the evening of 4 March 2023 during the trial. 'This case shows how outbreaks of violence can lead to tragedy and what the terrible consequences of one punch can be. 'Jake Balmforth was convicted by the jury of Mr Johnson's manslaughter and will have to carry that burden for the rest of his life.' Katie Lord, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: 'This case is a tragic reminder that one punch can kill. 'When violence broke out between rival football fans in a Blackpool pub, Jake Balmforth punched Anthony Johnson, with fatal consequences. 'In addition to prosecuting Balmforth for manslaughter, we also successfully made an application for a football banning order to be imposed on him to prevent him from committing further football related violence. 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr Johnson who bear his loss, we hope today's sentence offers them some semblance of closure.' Eight other men who pleaded guilty to affray will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on August 4.
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Burnley fan jailed for fatal one-punch attack on Blackpool supporter
A man who killed a rival football fan with a single punch has been Balmforth, 35, punched Tony Johnson, as rival fans clashed outside The Manchester pub on Blackpool Promenade after Blackpool played Burnley on 4 March Johnson, 55, from Blackpool, suffered a serious head injury and died in hospital two days later without regaining Robert Altham, Honorary Recorder of Preston, sentenced Balmforth, from Burnley, to five years after he was found guilty of manslaughter by a jury at Preston Crown Court earlier this month. The disturbance happened hours after the Championship match earlier in the day in had travelled to the resort to watch Burnley and was in The Manchester sports bar, which was a designated pub for Burnley Johnson was among a group of Blackpool supporters who gathered outside the the trouble that followed, Balmforth punched Mr Johnson once in the face, and the incident was caught on at the scene provided emergency medical assistance before Mr Johnson was taken to Blackpool Victoria of Tarvin Close, was also given a nine-year order banning him from football grounds. Det Ch Insp Andy Fallows said: "My thoughts remain very much with Tony Johnson's family."It has been a harrowing experience for them over the last two years, losing a loved one and having to relive the events of the evening of 4 March 2023 during the trial."This case shows how outbreaks of violence can lead to tragedy and what the terrible consequences of one punch can be."Following Mr Johnson's death, his partner paid tribute to him, saying she was "devastated" to have lost her "best friend, life partner and soul mate"."We all, as a family, are so heartbroken and our lives are never going to be the same," she other men who pleaded guilty to affray will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court on 4 August. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man guilty of fatal one-punch attack on football fan
A man has been found guilty of killing a football fan with a single punch after violence broke out between rival fans following a football match. Tony Johnson, 55, suffered a fatal head injury outside The Manchester pub on Blackpool promenade after a match between Blackpool and Burnley on the evening of 4 March 2023. Jake Balmforth, 35, of Tarvin Close, Burnley, was found guilty of manslaughter by a jury at Preston Crown Court earlier following a six-day trial. He was remanded in custody until a sentencing hearing set for 22 May. Mr Johnson had been among a group of Blackpool fans who gathered outside the pub, which was a designated pub for Burnley fans that day, the court heard. A disturbance followed and CCTV footage showed Balmforth punch Mr Johnson once in the face. He was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital but was pronounced dead on 6 March, having not regained consciousness. Tony Johnson never regained consciousness and died in hospital two days later [Lancashire Police handout] Speaking after the hearing, Det Chief Insp Andy Fallows, from Lancashire Police, said: "My thoughts remain first and foremost with Tony Johnson's family and loved ones. "During the trial over the last few days they have had the distressing experience of having to relive the events of that evening in March 2023. "This case highlights what the tragic consequences can be when violence breaks out." Nine other men who pleaded guilty to affray will be sentenced at a later date. Following Mr Johnson's death, his partner paid tribute to him, saying she was "devastated" to have lost her "best friend, life partner and soul mate". "We all, as a family, are so heartbroken and our lives are never going to be the same," she added. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. More on this story Related internet links
BBC News
07-05-2025
- BBC News
Blackpool: Man guilty of fatal one-punch attack on football fan
Man guilty of fatal one-punch attack on football fan 10 minutes ago Share Save Angela Ferguson BBC News, Lancashire Share Save Lancashire Police Jake Balmforth was remanded in custody until his sentencing on 22 May A man has been found guilty of killing a football fan with a single punch after violence broke out between rival fans following a football match. Tony Johnson, 55, suffered a fatal head injury outside The Manchester pub on Blackpool promenade after a match between Blackpool and Burnley on the evening of 4 March 2023. Jake Balmforth, 35, of Tarvin Close, Burnley, was found guilty of manslaughter by a jury at Preston Crown Court earlier following a six-day trial. He was remanded in custody until a sentencing hearing set for 22 May. Mr Johnson had been among a group of Blackpool fans who gathered outside the pub, which was a designated pub for Burnley fans that day, the court heard. A disturbance followed and CCTV footage showed Balmforth punch Mr Johnson once in the face. He was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital but was pronounced dead on 6 March, having not regained consciousness. Lancashire Police handout Tony Johnson never regained consciousness and died in hospital two days later Speaking after the hearing, Det Chief Insp Andy Fallows, from Lancashire Police, said: "My thoughts remain first and foremost with Tony Johnson's family and loved ones. "During the trial over the last few days they have had the distressing experience of having to relive the events of that evening in March 2023. "This case highlights what the tragic consequences can be when violence breaks out." Nine other men who pleaded guilty to affray will be sentenced at a later date. Following Mr Johnson's death, his partner paid tribute to him, saying she was "devastated" to have lost her "best friend, life partner and soul mate". "We all, as a family, are so heartbroken and our lives are never going to be the same," she added. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
