Striker sent down for nightclub attacks.
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Sheffield Wednesday striker Gary Madine has been been jailed for 18 months after being found guilty of two separate assaults in nightclubs in Yorkshire, the BBC reports.
The 23-year-old was convicted last month for the assaults, but was sentenced this week and now faces some significant time behind bars.
Madine was found guilty of hitting Daniel Beresford in the Paris Bar in February 2012 and, four weeks later, attacked Reece Hall in the Viper Rooms and was found guilty of causing Mr Beresford actual bodily harm and causing Mr Hall grievous bodily harm.
Leeds Crown Court heard that Madine, who also has a previous conviction for assault, attacked Wednesday fan, Beresford, knocking him unconscious and breaking his nose.
Beresford claimed that Madine had been staring at him in the bar and, when he had asked why, the Gateshead born player lashed out.
The victim had told the jury: “He was one of my favourite players, someone I looked up to.”
The court was then told that Reece Hall, a Sheffield United fan, was left to contend with a broken jaw and a fractured cheek after Madine asked him which club he supported.
Hall, who did not recognise the Wednesday striker, replied “United”, and moments later he was punched in the eye. He also suffered a broken jaw and his cheek was fractured in five places.
Madine claimed to have hit Beresford out of self defence, therefore escaping a more serious charge of causing grievous bodily harm.
Sheffield Wednesday are yet to release a statement on the matter.