England: Solicitor who headbutted friend at sons’ rugby match struck off

Gavin Dowell, 52, was struck off after the attack on his friend Mark Scoble during their sons’ match.

After the 2014 attack, Mr Scoble was left with a bone protruding from his head and serious loss of vision.

Doctors said his eyesight will never fully recover.

The Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal heard that Mr Dowell became enraged with the decision of the referee during the Old Bristolians under-16s away game, when his son clashed with another player.

Mr Scoble attempted to intervene, prompting Mr Dowell to headbutt him, instantly knocking him out.

The SDT said it had no hesitation in striking the solicitor of 27 years off.

In 2016, Gloucester Crown Court heard that Mr Dowell claimed to have seen his son assaulted and that the referee refused to do anything, since he never saw it.

The jury heard that when Mr Dowell took matters into his own hands, Mr Scoble tried to calm him down.

In response he said: “Why, do you want some too?” before attacking his friend.

Roger Nicholas, chairman of the tribunal, said: “Mr Scoble had lost vision in his left eye which it was likely he would not fully recover. He had suffered financially as he had been unable to work for some six weeks.

“The incident had had a tremendous effect on Mr Scoble who had suffered, and continued to suffer, serious psychological symptoms as a result. The incident had taken place before many children at the rugby match, including [Dowell’s] own sons and Mr Scoble’s son. Harm had been caused to the children, particularly the sons who had witnessed the incident. One of the witness statements described the sons as being distraught.”

Mr Dowell appeared at Taunton Crown Court for trial but pleaded guilty and was handed a two-year suspended sentence and ordered to undertake 300 hours’ community service.

He was also told to pay costs of £9,200 in addition to £10,000 in compensation.