A footballer who used his car as a "weapon" to mow down 11 young rival supporters after they taunted him by calling him "fatty" has been given an extended 10-year prison sentence.

Lee Taylor, 36, ploughed his BMW into a group of boys aged 14 to 19 after his side lost 5-0 in a local football match in South Wales.

Newport Crown Court was told Taylor posed a "high risk" of harm to the public and would serve at least seven years of his sentence in jail after hearing he had a string of violent offences to his name.

The court was told 11 teenagers were deliberately "knocked down like skittles" by the father-of-one.

The incident happened in the ground's car park, after he had played for amateur side Margam FC at the home of their rivals, Cornelly Utd, in Bridgend.


Supporters shouted insults at players as the home side cruised to victory.

After the game, a group of young home fans waited outside the away dressing room for a fight between a young player from each team.

Judge Daniel Williams said Taylor's attempts to set ground rules for the fight "between two children" had resulted in "incredulity and derision" from the boys, who insulted him and called him "fatty".

Judge Williams said: "The spat between two boys could have been defused by any adult with an ounce of common sense. But you don't have that.

"Your fragile pride could not take the insults. You were angry and decided to exact revenge on those who dared to dent your fragile ego.

"You made threats of violence and then used your car as a weapon to inflict violence on the boys because a few of them had disrespected you."

The court heard Taylor said "you don't want to mess with me" and then got into his grey BMW, revved the engine, and then accelerated into the group of boys, injuring 11 of them.

He then attempted to chase two other boys on to the football pitch.

A 17-year-old boy jumped on top of the car and punched Taylor's windscreen in an attempt to get him to stop.

Taylor jumped out of his vehicle and attacked more of the group before driving off.

Judge Williams said it was "just good fortune" that none of the victims were seriously injured or killed.

Taylor had denied deliberately trying to injure the teenagers and claimed he was trying to escape from being attacked by the group.

He said he was unaware of the collisions and could not hear the boys' screams because his car stereo was too loud.

The jury unanimously found Taylor guilty of dangerous driving, and of 11 counts of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent by a majority verdict.

Judge Williams said Taylor posed a "high risk of harm to others", resulting in him being given an extended 10-year custodial sentence.

He will serve at least seven years before a parole board will decide if he should be released.

Taylor, from the Sandfields area of Port Talbot, was also disqualified from driving for 10 years and had his BMW confiscated.