13/05/2009

Driver Sentenced To Life For Villa Fan Murder

A man has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering a football fan who was hit by a car following a Birmingham Premier League derby.

Aston Villa fan Christopher Priest, 26, died following his team's 5-1 defeat over rival's Birmingham City on 20 April last year.

Lee Mockble, 21, of Robin Hood Lane, Hall Green, Birmingham, was found guilty of his murder at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

The jury heard Mockble deliberately drove his car at Mr Priest, killing him instantly. They took just over three hours to find him guilty of murder.

Judge John Warner told the 21-year-old he would serve a minimum jail term of 12 years.

During the three-week trial, the court heard Mockble drove deliberately into the victim without swerving or braking.

It was "a dreadful act of revenge" for an attack in which one of Mr Priest's friends had thrown a pint glass at Mockble's Volkswagen Golf, after asking if it contained Birmingham City fans, the court also heard.

(JM/BMcc)

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