by Keith Hunt and Mary Graham

A rugby player has told how he will never play again after viciously booting an opponent in the head like he was taking a penalty kick.

Father-of-two Luke Jessop, of Wigmore Road, Gillingham, exploded in anger and wounded Gareth McKelvey as he was helpless on the ground.

But the 28-year-old wept as a judge decided to spare him jail because of the effect it would have on his family and for a near two-year delay in the case reaching court.

Now Jessop, who has previous assault convictions, has told the Messenger he has quit the sport - and turned down a chance to meet his victim to apologise.

He left Mr McKelvey with 8cm and 6cm gashes to his head as well as painful headaches after kicking him with a studded boot.

Jessop, who is about to become a dad for the third time, admitted unlawful wounding after denying wounding with intent.

'jessop was banned'

luke jessop claims to have quit rugby – but the lordswood club chairman paints a different story.
he said: “we are glad it is all over. we don’t bear him any malice, but equally this sort of violence will not be tolerated.
“the club did apologise to gareth for the conduct of jessop and i sat next to him in court. i was pleased to see he has made a full recovery.
“but in the end he pleaded guilty, so i wasn’t needed.

tony gue, who was prepared to give evidence against jessop until he pleaded guilty, said he was immediately banned after the match.

“on the day of the match, i was sitting a little way away, but could see he had stamped on someone’s head and he is a big bloke.

“a few of us from the club were in court for the case as i was called to give evidence against him.

“its a shame all round. jessop only played occasionally for us for two months, but he could have been an outstanding player.”

Speaking after the case, Jessop said he did not want to add anything - but denied he exploded with rage.

He said: "I had been offered the chance to meet the victim, but I turned it down. I decided to give up rugby afterwards."

Jessop was playing for Lordswood in an away match with Bexley in an amateur league on October 24, 2009, when the attack happened.

Trevor Wright, prosecuting, told Maidstone Crown Court the game had been played in sporting fashion until close to the end when there was a ruck.

The victim was on the ground and getting to his knees when Jessop kicked out. Referee David Craggs described it as like "kicking a penalty in football".

Jessop was sent off, the game was abandoned and Mr McKelvey had to have stitches and suffered from headaches.

Tony Ventham, defending, said the wounding was not the same as "attacking people in a club or on the streets".

Jessop was sentenced to 48 weeks' imprisonment - suspended for 18 months with 12 months supervision - at Maidstone Crown Court. He was ordered to pay his victim £460 compensation and £500 court costs.

Judge Charles Macdonald QC said he did not entirely accept Jessop was remorseful.

He said: "The fact is this was a vicious kicking to the head of a helpless man with a weapon, a studded rugby boot."

But he added there was "much mitigation" which would allow him to take an exceptional course.