Footballer, 21, who boasted ‘big things coming’ jailed for assault while model pal who stamped on man’s head walks free
A FOOTBALLER who boasted “big things coming” has been jailed for assault while his model pal who stamped on a man’s head walks free.
Blue Butler, 21, was found guilty of attacking two men – leaving one with a broken and dislocated ankle – in a fit of rage three years ago.
The budding baller was described as a “phenomenal winger” who is “on trials for some great clubs” just five days ago.
But yesterday, he appeared in the dock at Maidstone Crown Court, Kent, where he was sentenced to 15 months behind bars.
Butler was joined by Jack Smith, 22, George Button, 22, and “self-employed model” Layla Hayes, 21.
The thug group were being sentenced for three separate incidents after they unleashed horrifying and unprovoked assaults on strangers during a night out in Dartford in July 2020.
Butler, who was 18 at the time, was caught on CCTV with Smith kicking, stamping and punching Ian Willey as he lay on the ground helpless.
Mr Willey and his mate were followed by the youths after an evening at The Clipper pub.
It was the week after lockdown rules had eased – allowing bars to reopen.
In the footage, Butler pulled his hood over his head just seconds before he launched at Mr Willey.
Hales, then aged 17, kicked and stamped on an unidentified man’s head as he lay motionless.
The male had to then be dragged to safety as he bled from his head.
Prosecutor Stacey-Lee Holland said: “Mr Willey was struck by Butler and he fell to the floor where he was then subjected to a sustained attack by both Butler and Smith who kicked, stamped and punched him while he was on the ground curled up in a ball.
“Both defendants then left the area and appeared on the CCTV to fist-bump each other as if in celebration of what had just occurred.”
She added that when Smith was arrested he told cops: “It’s disgusting but life happens.”
The court heard Mr Willey needed surgery to help mend his ankle.
Butler was told by the judge she could not suspend his sentence regardless of his promising career.
Smith was also handed a 15-month sentence because he was on bail for an affray charge from February that same year.
One month after the four yobs carried out their attacks, Butler found himself at the centre of another altercation at the same pub.
Butler was on bail for the first incident at the time and is understood to have taken offence when he sat in someone’s seat before being asked to move.
Pal Button was with him and also got involved before the duo then invited victim Jamie Payne for a fight, which he refused.
They then waited outside the pub where they confronted him, repeatedly kicked him and punched him on the ground, the court heard.
The court was told a group of women who tried intervening had liquid poured on them by Button while Butler was held back by a bouncer.
Judge Catherine Moore, sentencing, said Hales and Button could be spared jail because they had not been involved in two separate attacks while on bail.
The court heard Hales from Sidcup, Kent, had been drinking and taking drugs that night she attacked her victim.
She pleaded guilty to affray as did Button, from Swanscombe, Kent.
FOOTIE THUG
Butler, from Swanley, Kent, pleaded guilty to causing Mr Willey grievous bodily harm (GBH) and affray.
He has a previous caution for battery in 2015.
Smith also pleaded guilty to the same charge.
Butler’s barrister Mizan Abdulrouf urged the court to impose a suspended sentence as he had signed football contracts.
Mr Abdulrouf told the hearing: “He has grown up, he has shown maturity and he has shown remorse.
“He accepts his footballing career is in the embryonic stages but he says it’s a start he doesn’t wish to let go under any circumstances.”
Passing sentence, Judge Moore told the four defendants their behaviour could have resulted in fatal injuries.
She said: “While these three incidents were quite separate and your cases are individual, there are matters of commonality in that each involved truly shocking public violence and the sort that could quite easily have resulted in injuries far more serious.
“This sort of behaviour, wanton violence in public at night-time when members of the public are going about their lawful business, has a significant effect on society.”
Hales was handed a 12-month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work and 10 rehabilitation activity requirements.
Button, who is said to have since set up a successful business with employees, was given six-months’ jail suspended for 18 months with 100 hours’ unpaid work.
Aspiring footballer Butler wrote an apologetic letter which was read out in court.
It said: “I was 18 at the time and I was not the man I am today. There are no excuses for my actions.
“Today I don’t drink, my mind is clear, I have career prospects, I have a footballing contract I have recently signed through a sport agency.
“These are mistakes I made three years ago and I would like to deeply apologise for my actions and the harm I caused.
“I don’t see the man I was three years ago when I look in the mirror. I don’t wish to see the man I was three years ago.
“Once again, I apologise for my wrongdoing.”
His sports management agency Millenniall Media recently told followers to “keep an eye out on his journey” as he signed trials for clubs.
Butler commented on the post: “Big things coming, thanks for the opportunity.”