23 December 2003

A Hooligan jailed for a revenge arson attack on a Derby nightclub has been barred from Pride Park while matches are on and from city centre pubs. Phillip Millward (23), of Selkirk Street, Chaddesden, was handed the bans as part of a three-year anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) imposed at Derby Crown Court yesterday, alongside a three-year prison sentence.

Known to the police as a member of Derby Lunatic Fringe (DLF) - a group responsible for disorder when the Rams are playing - Millward turns up where organised trouble is likely, the court heard. Some of the DLF caused a disturbance at the Aruba nightclub in Becket Street, Derby, on April 23 when they tried to get in despite being banned.

Sarah Knight, prosecuting, said a doorman was assaulted and, two hours after the club closed at 1am, the alarm was set off by someone throwing a petrol can through a window. The petrol had been lit but the fire burnt itself out and caused only minor damage to the carpet. Millward and 18-year-old Nathan Jordan, of Keldholme Lane, Alvaston, were arrested after being identified from CCTV footage, the court heard. Miss Knight said Millward admitted carrying out a "revenge attack" after drinking all day to celebrate St George's Day and taking cocaine. He and Jordan, who was sent to a young offenders' institution for 18 months, both admitted arson. Millward, who has a "most unenviable criminal history", had no convictions for football-related violence, the court heard. Sergeant Anthony Brittain, a former football intelligence officer, told the court: "Millward is connected with the DLF. "He does not attend football matches, has no intention of attending football matches and only turns out with others at big games where disorder is likely."

He said Millward travelled to Coventry on December 21 last year with about 50 other hooligans, some of whom chanted "DLF" as they chased local hooligans down the street.

Judge Alison Hampton told the court as she imposed the ASBO it was difficult to think of something more anti-social than the arson attack. Until December 21, 2006, Millward cannot go into licensed premises in Derby between 7pm and 5am or go to Pride Park three hours before and three hours after a match.