News

Aldershot Town's Josh Payne jailed for assault

By Nick Edmondson & Tim Harris
December 15, 2012

ALDERSHOT TOWN footballer Joshua Payne has been jailed over an assault outside a Guildford nightclub earlier this year.

Payne, 22, was sentenced to 12 months in prison at Guildford Crown Court on Friday, after he attacked two men outside the Dusk club at around 3am on May 7.

The midfielder was handed a 12-month term for actual bodily harm and a concurrent four-month sentence for common assault. He pleaded guilty to both charges.

Commenting after the Shots played without Payne on Saturday afternoon, the boss of Aldershot Town FC said: “Dean Holdsworth, the person and the manager, is upset by the fact that this has happened to Josh.

“I love the lad, he has been superb for me. The players love him. He has had this hanging over his head for a long time.

“It has been a shock for everybody, he is a big part of the club. Our thoughts are with his family. We have got to get on with our jobs and be professional.”

A downbeat Holdsworth added: “I have spoken to the club and the powers that be, and the club will be making a statement in the next few days.”

For more on this story, see the next edition of the News & Mail, out on Thursday, December 20, and the Surrey Advertiser, out on Friday, December 21.