Adam Derbyshire
31/ 3/2008
THE mum of a Manchester United fan jailed for fighting in Rome has pleaded with other supporters to stay away from the Italian capital tomorrow night (Tuesday).
The Reds will be playing their fifth Champions League match against Roma in little over a year, and previous clashes have been marred by violence.
Kyle Dillon was one of four English fans imprisoned last December after fights broke out between rival supporters when United visited Roma for a group stage match. His mother Janet urged United supporters should not to go to Tuesday's game because British police could not guarantee their safety.
And she said that any trouble might have a detrimental effect on a legal appeal scheduled for May 2, which could see 23-year-old Kyle, Richard Wimmer, 39, Nicholas Lucas, 18, and Michael Burk, 35, released.
Mrs Dillon, from Mottram, near Hyde, said: "Don't go to the game, it isn't safe. Our police cannot protect you and the Italian police will not protect you because they are part of the problem.
"If you do have to go to the game, stay out of trouble. Because of the proximity of the two games to the appeal date, any trouble could have an effect on the outcome of the appeal."
The four were part of a group which broke from other fans on their way to the ground and became embroiled in clashes with Roma's notorious `Ultras' at the Duca d'Aosta bridge.
Three United fans were stabbed outside Roma's ground last April, when the two clubs also met at the quarter-final stage. There were violent scenes inside the Stadio Olimpico, and scuffles erupted outside Old Trafford during the second leg a week later, with 21 people arrested.
Greater Manchester Police have urged fans to be on their best behaviour. Transport to and from the ground has been arranged for United supporters, to head off trouble on the bridge.
And police say anyone choosing to make their own way to the stadium - or planning to buy tickets from touts - could put themselves in danger.
Monday, 31 March 2008
Friday, 21 March 2008
MP's bid to free jailed Reds
Neal Keeling
21/ 3/2008
AN MP is stepping up the campaign to get a Manchester United fan released from jail in Italy.
Michael Burk, of Little Hulton, Salford, is one of four Reds fans imprisoned there.
Mr Burk is due to appeal against his sentence and conviction in May and his MP, Barbara Keeley, is pushing to secure his release.
She said she is `very concerned' about his treatment by the Italian legal system.
The four fans were arrested in December after being caught up in violent clashes before a Champions League game between Manchester United and Roma.
Mr Burk, 35, a builder, was sentenced to two years and five months of which he has now served three months.
At his trial he was found guilty of violent behaviour and resisting arrest.
Mr Burk denies being involved with the violence and he claims that he and other fans were beaten by Italian police during the clashes.
Mrs Keeley said: "It has become clear to me that the men were unfairly represented during their trial as they didn't understand a word of the proceedings. During the first hearing Mr Burk did not even know what the charges against him were.
"The court should have provided an English speaking lawyer or a translator and there was a serious lack of adequate language translation throughout the process. The solicitor appointed by the court was not interested in what the defendants were saying and he seems to have advised them badly.
"It seems there has been a miscarriage of justice and, if there has, I would like to see Mr Burk's conviction overturned."
Mr Burk's appeal hearing is scheduled for May 2. Next month, Manchester United are due to play Roma once again in the quarter finals of the Champions League.
Mrs Keeley hopes that by raising the profile of Michael Burk's case, the freedom of Michael and of the other three fans can be secured.
The other fans included partially sighted Kyle Dillon, 23, from Mottram, Hyde, who was sentenced to two years and six months after facing charges of assault and resisting arrest, which he denies.
The two other fans are Nicholas Lucas, 18, who received an identical sentence and Richard Wimmer, 39, who was given two years and six months.
Further information on the fans and how to show support for them is available on the website, reds4reds.co.uk
21/ 3/2008
AN MP is stepping up the campaign to get a Manchester United fan released from jail in Italy.
Michael Burk, of Little Hulton, Salford, is one of four Reds fans imprisoned there.
Mr Burk is due to appeal against his sentence and conviction in May and his MP, Barbara Keeley, is pushing to secure his release.
She said she is `very concerned' about his treatment by the Italian legal system.
The four fans were arrested in December after being caught up in violent clashes before a Champions League game between Manchester United and Roma.
Mr Burk, 35, a builder, was sentenced to two years and five months of which he has now served three months.
At his trial he was found guilty of violent behaviour and resisting arrest.
Mr Burk denies being involved with the violence and he claims that he and other fans were beaten by Italian police during the clashes.
Mrs Keeley said: "It has become clear to me that the men were unfairly represented during their trial as they didn't understand a word of the proceedings. During the first hearing Mr Burk did not even know what the charges against him were.
"The court should have provided an English speaking lawyer or a translator and there was a serious lack of adequate language translation throughout the process. The solicitor appointed by the court was not interested in what the defendants were saying and he seems to have advised them badly.
"It seems there has been a miscarriage of justice and, if there has, I would like to see Mr Burk's conviction overturned."
Mr Burk's appeal hearing is scheduled for May 2. Next month, Manchester United are due to play Roma once again in the quarter finals of the Champions League.
Mrs Keeley hopes that by raising the profile of Michael Burk's case, the freedom of Michael and of the other three fans can be secured.
The other fans included partially sighted Kyle Dillon, 23, from Mottram, Hyde, who was sentenced to two years and six months after facing charges of assault and resisting arrest, which he denies.
The two other fans are Nicholas Lucas, 18, who received an identical sentence and Richard Wimmer, 39, who was given two years and six months.
Further information on the fans and how to show support for them is available on the website, reds4reds.co.uk
MP expressed concerns over Italian treatment of United fan
By Saiqa Chaudhari
AN MP has expressed concerns about the treatment of a Manchester United fan imprisoned in Italy.
Worsley MP Barbara Keeley has called into question the trial of her constituent Michael Burk.
He was arrested after being caught in violent clashes before a Champions League game between Manchester United and Roma in December.
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The 35-year-old builder from Little Hulton was sentenced to two years and five months after being found guilty of violent behaviour and resisting arrest. He has now served three months. He is one for four fans serving a prison sentence.
Mr Burk denies the changes and is due to appeal against his sentence and conviction in May.
Mrs Keeley said she felt that the conviction was unsafe.
She said: "They didn't understand a word of the proceedings. During the first hearing Mr Burk did not even know what the charges against him were.
"The court should have provided an English lawyer or a translator and there was a serious lack of adequate language translation throughout the whole process.
"The solicitor appointed by the court was not interested in what the defendants were saying and he seems to have advised them badly .
"It seems there has a been a miscarriage of justice and if there has, I would like to see Mr Burk's conviction overturned.
The other fans are Kyle Dillon, aged 23 from Mottram, Hyde, who received two years and six months; Nicholas Lucas, aged 18, who was given the same sentence and Richard Wimmer, aged 39, who was given two years and six months.
AN MP has expressed concerns about the treatment of a Manchester United fan imprisoned in Italy.
Worsley MP Barbara Keeley has called into question the trial of her constituent Michael Burk.
He was arrested after being caught in violent clashes before a Champions League game between Manchester United and Roma in December.
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The 35-year-old builder from Little Hulton was sentenced to two years and five months after being found guilty of violent behaviour and resisting arrest. He has now served three months. He is one for four fans serving a prison sentence.
Mr Burk denies the changes and is due to appeal against his sentence and conviction in May.
Mrs Keeley said she felt that the conviction was unsafe.
She said: "They didn't understand a word of the proceedings. During the first hearing Mr Burk did not even know what the charges against him were.
"The court should have provided an English lawyer or a translator and there was a serious lack of adequate language translation throughout the whole process.
"The solicitor appointed by the court was not interested in what the defendants were saying and he seems to have advised them badly .
"It seems there has a been a miscarriage of justice and if there has, I would like to see Mr Burk's conviction overturned.
The other fans are Kyle Dillon, aged 23 from Mottram, Hyde, who received two years and six months; Nicholas Lucas, aged 18, who was given the same sentence and Richard Wimmer, aged 39, who was given two years and six months.
Sunday, 2 March 2008
Sunday, 27 January 2008
Roma4 email group
We had a meeting last night with the families of Nick, Kyle and Stacey and agreed we'd set up an email group for ALL supporters of the campaign to allow exchange of ideas and as a source of volunteers for actions/events etc. The idea is to build as large an email communication database as possible so that we can get as many supporters as possible to get involved - whether it is ideas, donations and obviously all families should be signed up if possible: The best place to do this is as a web member (additional options available) here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/roma4
Alternatively for email only subscription just send a blank email to: roma4-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Alternatively for email only subscription just send a blank email to: roma4-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Monday, 21 January 2008
Police 'can clear' jailed Reds fan
Deborah Haile
21/ 1/2008
THE mother of a United supporter jailed in Italy after fighting between rival fans wants Manchester police to help prove he is innocent.
Partially-sighted Kyle Dillon, 23, from Mottram, is serving a two-and-a-half year sentence in an Italian prison.
He was one of four men held by police in Rome after skirmishes between United and Roma fans in December.
Kyle was found guilty of violent behaviour and resisting arrest, but his family, and girlfriend Stacey Swann, say evidence heard by the court wrongly suggested Kyle was `known' to Greater Manchester Police as a travelling troublemaker.
Janet says GMP officers told her that Kyle was `known' to police as a fan and not a troublemaker. She believes the Italian judicial system may have misinterpreted information.
But she says GMP have not yet put anything in writing that could be used at her son's appeal, which starts next month.
Janet said: "My son has never been in trouble with the police and they have told me that all they said was that he is a Manchester United fan.
"But when I asked for that in writing they said that any evidence that they may or may not have given to the Italian police is confidential. I am just disgusted with them."
Greater Manchester Police say it remains a matter for the Italians.
Three other supporters, including Michael Burk, 35, from Little Hulton, Salford were jailed. All four will appeal. Their next stage of their hearing is expected to be on February 23.
21/ 1/2008
THE mother of a United supporter jailed in Italy after fighting between rival fans wants Manchester police to help prove he is innocent.
Partially-sighted Kyle Dillon, 23, from Mottram, is serving a two-and-a-half year sentence in an Italian prison.
He was one of four men held by police in Rome after skirmishes between United and Roma fans in December.
Kyle was found guilty of violent behaviour and resisting arrest, but his family, and girlfriend Stacey Swann, say evidence heard by the court wrongly suggested Kyle was `known' to Greater Manchester Police as a travelling troublemaker.
Janet says GMP officers told her that Kyle was `known' to police as a fan and not a troublemaker. She believes the Italian judicial system may have misinterpreted information.
But she says GMP have not yet put anything in writing that could be used at her son's appeal, which starts next month.
Janet said: "My son has never been in trouble with the police and they have told me that all they said was that he is a Manchester United fan.
"But when I asked for that in writing they said that any evidence that they may or may not have given to the Italian police is confidential. I am just disgusted with them."
Greater Manchester Police say it remains a matter for the Italians.
Three other supporters, including Michael Burk, 35, from Little Hulton, Salford were jailed. All four will appeal. Their next stage of their hearing is expected to be on February 23.
Friday, 11 January 2008
Jailed fans to question evidence
Deborah Haile
11/ 1/2008
FOUR Manchester United fans jailed in Italy for their part in a fight are to lodge an appeal against their convictions today.
Kyle Dillon, 23, from Mottram, Michael Burk, 35, from Little Hulton, Salford, Nicholas Lucas, 18, and Richard Wimmer, 39, were jailed by an Italian court last month.
The four had found themselves in the middle of skirmishes on the Duca d'Aosta Bridge, near the Stadio Olimpico - a hang-out for Roma's hard-line supporters known as the Ultras - before the Reds' match against the Italian side on December 12.
The court found them guilty of violent behaviour and of resisting arrest. Kyle, who is partially sighted, was jailed for two-and-a-half years along with Richard. Michael and Nicholas were sentenced to two years and five months.
Italian media reports at the time suggested the four had been part of a group of about 60 supporters that broke away from an escort and made their own way to the stadium before hitting trouble. And there had been suggestions that the four were known to police in England.
But the men and their families maintain their innocence and will lodge an appeal with the Italian courts.
This will allow them to question the evidence.
Kyle's mum Janet says the appeal can only question evidence that was presented to the court in the initial hearing.
That's because his first solicitor opted for an `abbreviated trial', which doesn't allow for defendants to offer any evidence of their own and limits the scope of their appeal. As a result, Janet says the appeal is expected to question claims by the Italian police that they had not used tear gas and that they had resisted arrest.
She says they will also seek the support of Greater Manchester Police to quash claims that the four were known to police.
She says it could be months for the process to be complete. But, ultimately, she believes Kyle will be cleared.
Janet, who has just returned from a trip to the Regina Coeli prison with the families of the three other men, said: "Kyle has told me everything that happened and I know that he is not lying.
"He is a strong lad. I can see he is really sad, but he is trying to be strong for us. He's worried about all of us at home."
Kyle suffers from an inherited condition called Stargardt's Macular Dystrophy, resulting in only partial vision in each eye.
Two years ago Kyle was featured in the M.E.N. after winning Individual of the Year from the Manchester Employer Coalition, after he successfully qualified as a gas engineer.
11/ 1/2008
FOUR Manchester United fans jailed in Italy for their part in a fight are to lodge an appeal against their convictions today.
Kyle Dillon, 23, from Mottram, Michael Burk, 35, from Little Hulton, Salford, Nicholas Lucas, 18, and Richard Wimmer, 39, were jailed by an Italian court last month.
The four had found themselves in the middle of skirmishes on the Duca d'Aosta Bridge, near the Stadio Olimpico - a hang-out for Roma's hard-line supporters known as the Ultras - before the Reds' match against the Italian side on December 12.
The court found them guilty of violent behaviour and of resisting arrest. Kyle, who is partially sighted, was jailed for two-and-a-half years along with Richard. Michael and Nicholas were sentenced to two years and five months.
Italian media reports at the time suggested the four had been part of a group of about 60 supporters that broke away from an escort and made their own way to the stadium before hitting trouble. And there had been suggestions that the four were known to police in England.
But the men and their families maintain their innocence and will lodge an appeal with the Italian courts.
This will allow them to question the evidence.
Kyle's mum Janet says the appeal can only question evidence that was presented to the court in the initial hearing.
That's because his first solicitor opted for an `abbreviated trial', which doesn't allow for defendants to offer any evidence of their own and limits the scope of their appeal. As a result, Janet says the appeal is expected to question claims by the Italian police that they had not used tear gas and that they had resisted arrest.
She says they will also seek the support of Greater Manchester Police to quash claims that the four were known to police.
She says it could be months for the process to be complete. But, ultimately, she believes Kyle will be cleared.
Janet, who has just returned from a trip to the Regina Coeli prison with the families of the three other men, said: "Kyle has told me everything that happened and I know that he is not lying.
"He is a strong lad. I can see he is really sad, but he is trying to be strong for us. He's worried about all of us at home."
Kyle suffers from an inherited condition called Stargardt's Macular Dystrophy, resulting in only partial vision in each eye.
Two years ago Kyle was featured in the M.E.N. after winning Individual of the Year from the Manchester Employer Coalition, after he successfully qualified as a gas engineer.
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