Daniel Blair, aged 37, has been jailed and banned from attending matches
15:30, 12 Mar 2026
Birmingham City fan Daniel Blair was jailed for attacking a 16-year-old boy at an away match
A drunk Birmingham City fan has been jailed after ‘choking’ a 16-year-old boy during a match.
Daniel Blair lifted the victim up by his neck in front of his own family.
The astonishing and unprovoked attack took place during the Blues’ Championship away match at Swansea City on January 17 this year.
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When he was arrested the 37-year-old dad, who has a drink problem, offered to deal cocaine to police after they found three snap-seal bags of the class A drug on him.
He compounded his shameful ordeal by urinating in his police cell.
Blair, of Wharrad Close, Redditch, pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation, possessing cocaine and criminal damage.
At Swansea Crown Court he was sentenced to two years and four weeks.
He was also banned for three years from attending regulated football matches and being within three miles of Birmingham’s St. Andrew’s Stadium at match times.
Prosecutor David Singh stated Blair had been heavily intoxicated prior to the match kicking off at 5.30pm.
He told the court he began slapping the 16-year-old boy to the back of his head before grabbing his neck from behind in a ‘chokehold’.
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The victim’s family and other nearby supporters tried to intervene but Blair maintained his grip and lifted him up off his feet.
Police arrested him and found he was carrying three snap-sealed bags containing cocaine, prompting brazen Blair to offer to supply them 20 bags.
In a statement the 16-year-old boy said he had been left feeling nervous and looking over his shoulder when out in public.
He described how the incident had affected his appetite, sleep patterns and education.
He also spoke of feeling ‘choking feelings’ when no-one was touching his neck.
Blair has committed 16 previous offences, including assaults, class A drug supply and public disorder.
Caitlin Brazel, defending, stated he was ‘deeply ashamed and no doubt embarrassed’ as she extended his apologies to the victim and his family.
The barrister submitted Blair had been ‘far too boisterous in drink’, adding his past crimes had also been influenced by alcohol which he needed to address.
Recorder Simon Stephenson concluded the ‘unprovoked’ attack had a ‘severe psychological impact’ on the boy.
He added that he would not have suspended the sentence even if it had been reduced to the two-year threshold.