Football boss apologises for club offering ‘second chance’ to thug who battered girlfriend with iron bar
A FOOTBALL club boss has apologised today for his club offering a “second chance” to a thug who battered his girlfriend with an iron bar.
Reece Thompson, 25, rubbed glass into Danielle Thomas’ back and made her eat paint during a brutal campaign of violence.
Danielle Thomas was left fearing for her life at the hands of Reece Thompson[/caption] Reece Thompson battered his girlfriend with an iron bar[/caption] He also hit her with an iron bar leaving these bruises[/caption] Selby Town manager Christian Fox now says the decision to sign Thompson was ‘severely misjudged’[/caption]The yob, who played for York City, Boston United and Guiseley AFC, was released just nine months into his 40-month sentence earlier this year.
He had been given a “second chance” by Selby Town FC, who came under fire last month for allowing Thompson to play in a pre-season friendly.
Selby Town manager Christian Fox now says the decision to sign Thompson was “severely misjudged”.
Fox said in a statement: “Thinking of giving someone like that an opportunity was misplaced.
He said signing Thompson had “dragged up horrible memories for individuals and families who suffer from domestic abuse” and said the club “offer our unreserved apologies” to Danielle and her family.
Fox said: “I know words will never be enough but believe me when I say how sorry we are with the upset we have caused so many. We are not trying to make excuses or cover anything up.”I hope once again Selby Town FC will be able to regain trust and rebuild its standing in the community.”
‘DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE’
Danielle hit out at the club for “dragging up all the memories, flashbacks and emotions”.
And she is said she is trying to protect her two daughters, aged ten and 14 from the torment, telling Selby Town: “You have no idea the impact you have had on my mental health”.
The 34-year-old mum-of-two told The Sun Online: “Changing their minds is all well and good, but the damage has been done.
“The memories have been forced back. I just pray that’s my daughters don’t see any of this.”
Selby Town FC confirmed this week they would no longer be signing Thompson after a furious backlash from fans.
The Northern Counties East League Division One club said: “Further to our previous statement, we have listened to all of the comments and Reece Thompson will not be signing for Selby Town Football Club.”
But furious supporters said the row back had come too late.
One wrote: “Damage is already done and you’ve disgraced yourself.”
Another said: “Shouldn’t take the public to kick up a fuss for you to reverse your decision, especially after saying you wouldn’t be signing him.
“Anyway you got to the right decision in the end.”
Another angry supporter slammed the back and forth as “utterly shocking” and called for whoever wanted to sign Thompson to be sacked.
‘SECOND CHANCE’
The club initially said: “As made clear in our original statement, the club does not condone Reece’s actions and we can only imagine the impact upon those involved.
“For what he has done, Reece has rightly been judged in a court of law and served his sentence.
“With that sentence now served and with the ongoing work Reece carries out to understand and learn from his behaviour, we have come to the conclusion that it is not our place to continue to further punish Reece for his actions.
“We understand there will be many that disagree with our stance, likewise there will be those who believe he has served his sentence and should be allowed to now carry on with life.
“We hope going forward Reece will be judged on his actions from this point with his knowledge that the expectations and standard of behaviour expected of him are high.”
But the decision sparked fury on Twitter.
‘DISGUSTING’
One person wrote: “Reece Thompson beat his girlfriend and forced her to eat paint.
“@SelbyTown_FC just signed him upon his early release from jail. Disgusting club.”
Another said: “April 2019 – Reece Thompson gets put behind bars after he beat his girlfriend with an iron bar and forced her to lick up paint off the floor.
“What a horrible decision from Selby Town. Truly disgusting.”
While one said: “Best thing to do – no one go to Selby’s games, don’t give them any of your money. Reece Thompson doesn’t deserve another football club and Selby don’t deserve anything good for allowing this to happen.
“F*** them.”
Brave Danielle opened up about the abuse, saying she was left “fearing for her life” when she suffered a broken jaw and severe bruising.
She also said Thompson smashed her over the head with two mirrors and threatened to force her to run naked down the street.
Danielle told Lincolnshire Live: “Reece repeatedly hit me. He hit me with an iron bar, broke my jaw and smashed a mirror over my head.
“I was made to lick paint up off the floor and then he smashed another mirror over my head.
“It was when he picked up the second mirror that I thought I was going to die, I screamed for him to stop or he would kill me.
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“He told me to get my arms down and take the beating like a real person.”
Thompson pleaded guilty to GBH, ABH and damaging property in April last year.
He was jailed for three years and four months and handed a 10-year restraining order.
Danielle Thomas was forced to eat paint by Thompson[/caption]