Paul Mitchell: Football Fan Jailed For Attacking Jack Grealish Found Dead
A football fan who was sent to prison after punching England footballer Jack Grealish during a match in 2019 has been found dead.
Birmingham fan Paul Mitchell punched Jack Grealish after running onto the pitch at the St Andrew's Stadium in March 2019, he was found dead at a property this week.
Tributes have been paid to the 32-year-old on social media, with friends and family describing him as a "great lad" and a loving father that "adored" his three children.
Paul's cousin, Lucy Mitchell, told The Sun: "Paul absolutely adored his three children. He always had a smile on his face no matter what. He had the kindest heart. He is sadly going to be missed by a lot of people.
"He was a very popular man. It won't be the same without him here anymore."
Mitchell pleaded guilty to assault over the incident involving Grealish and was sentenced to 14 weeks in prison at Birmingham Magistrates' Court.
Ten minutes into the game between Aston Villa and Birmingham City, Mitchell jumped over the barriers, ran onto the pitch, and attacked Grealish, then 23, from behind.
The England football star suffered no major injury from the punch that struck him on the right side of his jaw.
Vaughn Whistance, Mitchell's solicitor, had previously told the court that his client could not explain "what came over him."
He said: "It has brought shame upon his family and the club he has supported as a child. A season ticket holder for over 20 years.
"He apologised to Aston Villa and of course to Jack Grealish. This was totally out of character."
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