An Italian man has been jailed for three-and-a-half years for assaulting Irish Liverpool fan Sean Cox outside Anfield football stadium last year.

Mr Cox received serious injuries in the incident ahead of Liverpool's Champions League tie with AS Roman last April.

The father-of-three has now spent several months at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire.

30-year-old Simone Mastrelli this morning pleaded guilty to unlawfully and maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on Mr Cox in the attack.

He pleaded not guilty to a charge of violent disorder.

He has now been jailed for three-and-a-half years at Preston Crown Court.

The 30-year-old was extradited to the UK at the start of February, on foot of a European Arrest Warrant.

He had been arrested in the Italian capital in October.

Simone Mastrelli who was jailed for three-and-a-half years for assaulting Sean Cox outside Anfield, Liverpool

Sean Cox

Mr Cox suffered catastrophic injuries after being knocked unconscious in the unprovoked attack ahead of the Champions League tie.

His local GAA club in Dunboyne said he will require “ongoing and intensive long term care and support” once the rehabilitation programme is finished.

"Shocking and completely unprovoked"

After sentencing, Merseyside Police Detective Inspector Paul Speight said: “The shocking and completely unprovoked assault of Sean Cox was rightly met with disgust and abhorrence by people in Merseyside and across the world."

“As a passionate Liverpool fan, Sean had travelled to the city to enjoy the occasion of a Champions League match.

"But before he had even had opportunity to enter the stadium, Sean was brutally attacked by Simone Mastrelli.

“Instead of watching his favourite team, Sean ended the evening in a critical condition in hospital and has spent the past 10 months receiving round-the-clock care.

"His long road to a full recovery continues and he will carry the physical and emotional scars of that night for the rest of his life."

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson carries a banner in support of Sean Cox, 02-05-2018. Image: AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino

He noted that the impact of the attack on the Cox family "cannot be underestimated" and said he hopes the conviction "provides them with some comfort as they continue to adjust to lives that have been forever changed."

“Football fans should be able to attend matches without fear of being subjected to such a vicious attack," he said.

"I hope today’s sentencing sends a clear message that anyone who seeks to bring violence to a sporting event will face the full force of the law."

Liverpool footballers display a banner in support of Sean Cox

Violent disorder

Two other Italian men have already been jailed for engaging in violent disorder ahead of the match.

Last October, 21-year-old Filippo Lombardi was sentenced to three years in prison for engaging in violent disorder ahead of the crunch Champions League match.

He was found not guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm on Mr Cox.

Meanwhile, 29-year-old Daniele Sciusco was jailed for two-and-a-half years in late August after pleading guilty to violent disorder ahead of the game.

"Pure coincidence"

This morning, the court heard that Mastrelli left Mr Cox unconscious on the ground after punching him in the face.

Mr Cox had entered the path of a group of Roma's "Ultra" fans - including Mastrelli - "sadly by pure coincidence."

Footage of the attack showed Mastrelli aggressively confronting Mr Cox with his arms raised.

Lombardi, who has already been sentenced, is seen to raise a belt as Mastrelli moves back. Mastrelli then forcibly punches him in the face.

A witness said the incident was "sudden and unprovoked" and a "sickening sight."

The prosecutor said Mastrelli left Mr Cox lying on the ground and checked his face covering was in place before disappearing into the crowd.

He then changed his appearance by removing his face covering, hood and jacket and continued to the stadium to watch the match.