Colchester pub Euro 2020 attack: Man hospitalised after fight

Essex Police received reports of a fight at the Britannia pub, in Berechurch Road, Colchester, during England’s crunch penalty shootout against Italy.

The call came in at about 10.50pm, with officers arriving to find a man, aged in his 20s, with a facial injury.

A spokesman confirmed he was taken to hospital for treatment.

He added: “No arrests have been made and our inquiries are continuing.”

PC Toby Wilde, based with Tendring’s local policing team, took to social media to share a harrowing account of domestic violence perpetrated by a fan after the match.

The officer said he was called to reports a man had tried to strangled his girlfriend three times after an argument.

He is then reported to have made threats to kill her before a nine-year-old boy punched the man, resulting in him losing his grip.

The victim managed to escape to safety before the arrival of the officers.

A man was arrested and was yesterday being questioned by the force’s domestic violence teams.

The ordeal was documented in a series of tweets published by PC Wilde.

He said: “Domestic tonight, partner had arrived back from the football and after an argument strangled his partner three times.

“On the final time stated he was going to kill her… victim could not breathe.

“Bravely the nine-year-old at the address punched the male causing him to lose his grip, allowing the victim time to fight back and escape the address.

“A colleague and myself attended the address after speaking with the victim and arrested a male who now awaits questioning by our domestic teams.”

Research previously found the number domestic abuse incidents reported to police in Lancashire during World Cups in 2002, 2006 and 2010 rose by 38 per cent on the days England lost.

Anyone who witnessed the Britannia pub brawl or those with information should call 101 and quote incident 1402 of July 12. Alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.