A football fan was left brain damaged after an attack in 2015 and died five years later

Eleven men have appeared in court charged with the manslaughter of a football fan who was left permanently brain damaged by an attack on his way home from a match in 2015. Cambridge United supporter Simon Dobbin was assaulted in Southend, Essex, in March 2015 after watching his favourite team play Southend United. He died five years after the attack.

The 11 men – aged from 29 to 49 years old, and all from Essex – sat side-by-side in the dock when they appeared at Colchester Magistrates Court today (Tuesday, March 31). They are each charged with manslaughter on October 21, 2020 – the date that Mr Dobbin died, aged 48.

Each defendant stood up in turn to confirm their personal details in a process that took six minutes. No pleas were entered. Some of Mr Dobbin’s family were sitting in the packed public gallery at the back of the court.

The men in the dock were: Greg Allen, 37, of Westcliff-on-Sea; Jamie Chambers, 33, of Southend-on-Sea; Lewis Courtnell, 43, of Leigh-on-Sea; Philip McGill, 41, of Westcliff-on-Sea; and Scott Nicholls, 49, of Basildon.

Their co-defendants Matthew Petchey, 35, of Westcliff-on-Sea; Rhys Pullen, 29, of Maldon; Thomas Randall, 31, of Leigh-on-Sea; Michael Shawyer, 40, of Leigh-on-Sea; plus Alexander Woods, 34, and James Woods, 34, who are both of Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, also appeared at the hearing.

Deputy district judge Natalie Plant released each defendant on unconditional bail ahead of their pre-trial and preparation hearing at Basildon Crown Court on May 1.

Violence erupted outside the Railway Tavern pub in Southend in March 2015. Prior to the attack, Mr Dobbin, a former RAF serviceman, was employed as a transport manager for a fuel company. The married father received round-the-clock care from his family at his home in Mildenhall, Suffolk, until he passed away.

Another man, Ryan Carter, 40, currently at HMP The Mount, is scheduled to be dealt with later today (March 31).