A football fan jailed after punching England footballer Jack Grealish has been found dead, it has been reported.
Paul Mitchell, a Birmingham fan, had attacked the sports star at the St Andrew’s Stadium in March 2019.
The 32-year-old was found dead at a property this week, according to The Sun.
Friends and family have paid tribute to Mitchell on social media and described him as a ‘great lad who ‘adored’ his three children.
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 had previously been given 14 weeks behind bars at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to assault.
He had jumped over barriers and invaded the pitch as Aston Villa took on Birmingham City.
He attacked Grealish, then 23, from behind after ten minutes of the game had been played.
The footballer, now at Manchester City, had been playing in midfield for Aston Villa.
Grealish suffered no substantial injury from the punch to the right side of his jaw, while in a statement read to court, the footballer said he was ‘lucky’ Mitchell was not carrying a weapon.
Mitchell’s solicitor Vaughn Whistance had previously told the court that his client could not explain ‘what came over him.’
He added: ‘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 has apologised to Aston Villa and of course to Jack Grealish. This was totally out of character.’
Mr Whistance said that his family had to leave their home as they were receiving so many death threats on social media following the ‘high-profile’ incident.
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