CCTV footage shown to the jury shows how Bolton Wanderers star Kyle Dempsey and his dad took part in a "ruthless and merciless" attack that injured a bouncer.
A doorman was left injured after being targeted by the 27-year-old and his father, Michael, 50, who in an ex-rugby league player. The incident occurred on July 16 2022, hours after Bolton had played Kyle's former side Carlisle in a pre-season friendly.
The family socialised in a pub in Maryport, Cumbria before they left for the town's Labour club, where they were meeting Kyle's grandad. En-route, the Bolton player said he was attacked unprovoked by a man who'd previously caused his family problems.
As they chased him towards a club they were met by the bouncer, Darryl Jarvis, at around 10.30pm. According to Mr Jarvis, Dempsey was “acting aggressive to get through the door” so he pulled him outside, before being struck by the father.
He recalled being hit with “multiple blows” to his face, body and head. He told the court how he was hit with “at least a dozen (blows)." After breaking free, Mr Jarvis told the court he returned to the club, where the doors were bolted shut. Michael was able to smash them open however and Kyle found his way past a female bouncer as the violence continued.
Prosecutor Gerard Rogerson told the court how Mr Jarvis restrained Kyle before adding: "He then broke free and began to assault Mr Jarvis by the use of punches and also the use of his knee in an upwards motion towards Mr Jarvis. When that has happened, Mr Dempsey Snr also joined in, raining punches towards Mr Jarvis.”
Mr Jarvis suffered a broken nose, bruised ribs, a cut head, a chipped tooth and bruising which forced him off work as both a doorman and a care home maintenance manager.
“I’ve been left with a scar to the left side of my head which is a constant reminder of the attack,” Mr Jarvis told the court. “July 16 is my wedding anniversary and now it will always be overshadowed as a reminder of the violence I suffered by two people who I can only describe as mindless thugs who had the sole intention of causing me serious harm.”
Both Kyle and Michael Dempsey admitted to actual bodily harm assault. Judge Ian Unsworth KC said it was an “ugly, group attack” that was “wildly excessive, ruthless and merciless”.
Kyle has been handed a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months whilst also needing to complete 200 hours of unpaid work in the community. He was also handed a four-month electronically monitored curfew from 9pm to 7am each day. Michael's sentence was 13 months, again suspended for 18 months. Both men were ordered to pay Mr Jarvis £1,500 in compensation.
During the evidence, Lisa Judge gave an account for “loving, kind family man” Michael and also Kyle, a man of previous good character. Regarding the player, she said a prison sentence would “wreck” his career. “He has faced (online) trolling. He has faced shouts from the stands since July, 2022. This one night has lived with him ever since,” said Ms Judge.
“Kyle Dempsey’s trade is kicking a ball. It is something that he has lived for ever since the age of six. It is something he has fought for, it is something that his family have supported him throughout in achieving and all that may be thrown away for these 14 minutes or so in the labour club.”
Kyle was recent celebrating success with his club at Wembley after they secured a statement 4-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle in the final of the Papa Johns Trophy. He scored the opener after only four minutes and is heavily involved in Bolton's push for promotion from League One.
A Bolton statement read: "As a Club, we do not condone Kyle’s actions and have reminded Kyle of his responsibilities as a player for Bolton Wanderers.
"Kyle has apologised for his actions and the impact they have had, and we as a Club will continue to support Kyle going forward on and off the pitch."
