Man who punched Jack Grealish found dead after prison time for invading pitch

22 August 2023 , 08:00

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Paul Mitchell, who invaded the pitch and punched Jack Grealish in 2019, died in March (Image: Getty Images)

The man who was jailed for attacking Jack Grealish during a Midlands derby was found dead after taking up drink and drugs, an inquest has heard.

Paul Mitchell, 31, was found by his sister at his home in Solihull in March. After a six-week stretch in prison last year Mr Mitchell had been suffering mental health problems, Birmingham Coroner’s Court heard.

It is unconfirmed whether the cause of death was accidental or suicide.

Mr Mitchell spent four weeks in jail and received a football banning order for punching Jack Grealish during a Birmingham City vs Aston Villa match. After his release, he was drinking heavily and had documented mental health struggles, until he was found on his sofa.

Assistant coroner Simon Brenchley provided a narrative conclusion, and named a combination of drug toxicity and alcohol as the cause of death at a hearing on Monday.

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Mr Mitchell infamously punched footballer Jack Grealish during a heated derby (Internet Unknown)

Father-of-three Mr Mitchell is a "funny person" who will be "sorely missed", and had been caring for his dad at home at the time of his death. The coroner added that Mr Mitchell had a history of poor mental health, suicide attempts, and was suffering financial difficulties while struggling to find employment, Birmingham Live reported.

Mr Mitchell began consuming drugs in October 2022, after he served six weeks in prison for breaching his ten-year football ban. He was "advised to abstain from alcohol" and diagnosed with an adjustment disorder, the court heard. He had been unemployed since November, and "admitted drinking 15 cans of cider a day - although he had cut it down to six". "He denied having active suicidal thoughts," added the coroner.

Ahead of his death he had found "purpose" in caring for his father - with whom he had an "extremely close relationship", the court was told. "He had cut down drinking and was hoping to find a place to live," Mr Brenchley said.

Police were called to his father's home after Mr Mitchell's sister found him "cold to touch" on the sofa the day after his death. A statement from a police constable said: "The deceased was found inside the front sitting room of the address. He was on his back having been given CPR by family and neighbours. Family found him lying on the settee."

One of his two sisters, who was also living with their father, had been the last person to "see or speak to him alive and the person to find him," the coroner said. His sister saw him on March 14, the day he died, but as he was underneath a blanket on the sofa, she "didn't know if he was awake", added the coroner. "She told him the internet man was coming and left."

The punch led to a 10-year football banning order (Internet Unknown)

Mr Mitchell tragically passed away this year, aged only 31 (PA)

When she returned, she found him "cold to touch". Neighbours were called and she dialled for an ambulance. Paramedics confirmed he was dead at the scene, with police initially treating his death as suspicious.

House-to-house enquiries were carried out by officers and a bottle of medication belonging to his father had been consumed, the inquest heard. It was indicated Mr Mitchell had either "killed himself accidentally or through overdose", the police statement added.

"The deceased had suffered from mental health issues and had previously tried to take his own life six to eight weeks earlier," said the coroner. A post-mortem examination concluded Mr Mitchell died as a result of drug poisoning and acute ethanol toxicity.

After his death, more than 200 tributes flooded in for the Blues fan, with football supporters sharing their condolences. At the time, his mum Debbie Drew said: "Our family loved him so much.” Villa fan Graham Bowcott added: "Doesn't matter what team he supported he's still someone's son. My thoughts are with his family and friends."

Fellow Villain Phillip Maddox said: "There's kids tonight who ain't got there [sic] daddy and my thoughts and prayers are with them. May he rest in peace." Lisa Michelle added: "RIP 'Mitch' only met you a few times but you were a funny person whose troubles got the better of you and will be sorely missed."

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Concluding his inquest, the coroner said: "I would like to offer my sincere condolences to his family."

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Stephanie Balloo