Bolton Wanderers footballer and his father sentenced for ABH

A Bolton Wanderers footballer and his father, who is an ex-rugby league player, have been sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court for causing actual bodily harm to a doorman at a club in Maryport, Cumbria in July last year.

Kyle Dempsey, 27, midfielder for Bolton Wanderers and his father Michael Dempsey, 50, assaulted a doorman at The Labour Club on Senhouse Street in Maryport on 16 July 2022.

Following an altercation with another man, the father and son followed that man into the club when they were ejected by the door supervisor. They then both launched a violent attack on the door supervisor.

After being ejected, they left, returning minutes later when Michael Dempsey broke open the locked doors before the two men launched another violent attack on the doorman.

Kyle and Michael both pleaded guilty to the assault on a basis that they were provoked and were acting in self-defence but following a Newton hearing the Judge did not accept their explanation of why the assault took place. He found that neither man acted in self-defence or in defence of another, that they were out of control and that they carried out a determined, persistent joint attack on the door supervisor.

In his Victim Impact Statement, the security officer said: “It took nearly three months for my ribs to heal, my nose was broken, I suffered headaches for several weeks and I have a scar on the left side of my head which is a constant reminder of the attack. My wife has repeatedly asked me to leave the position and my children are very anxious every time I go to work. I am anxious about further attacks.”

Kyle Dempsey was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months. He must carry out 200 hours unpaid work. He was given an electronically monitored curfew for 4 months - 9pm – 7am. He was also ordered to pay £1500 to the doorman.

Michael Dempsey was sentenced to 13 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, for ABH and criminal damage to the door of the club. He must complete 20 Rehabilitation days and 200 hours unpaid work. He was issued with a 120 day Alcohol Abstinence Order. He was given an electronically monitored curfew for 2 months – 9pm to 7pm. He was also ordered to pay £1500 compensation to the doorman and £250 to the Labour Club.

Gerard Rogerson, Crown Advocate for the North West CPS said: “The two men had every opportunity to walk away when they were ejected from the club, but instead they launched an extremely violent attack on the doorman who was simply doing his job.

“They claimed they were provoked, but after hearing the evidence against them, the Judge agreed with the prosecution case that this went far beyond what could be considered self-defence. Today the two men must face up to the consequences of their actions”.

“Everyone has the right to go about their daily lives without fear of violence. I hope that following the conclusion of this case the doorman can move on with his life.”