CLASHES between England fans and riot police are sadly familiar scenes at world footballing events.

But there was nothing familiar to the devastated families back home watching the news from Portugal.

"He's a very quiet lad. He's not the sort of person to get involved in trouble, said a shocked Margaret Jackson, the mother of Newcastle United fan John Jackson who was one of the 12 Britons in court yesterday.

She said her 22-year-old son, who "works in computers" and lives with her, flew out to Portugal on Friday with a group of friends.

"This can't be happening - John is not a yob," said Mrs Jackson, of Isabella Walk, Throckley, Newcastle.

"He goes to work every day and goes out at weekends and he's saved up for this holiday.

"He went out there with five mates and two of their girlfriends and they were sitting outside a pub, having a drink, and some trouble started a couple of tables away.

"The police came in with riot shields and the horses came in and they were split up. It was 24 hours before they found out he was in custody. They were worried sick.

"I have just seen the news and I am sure I saw him getting into a van handcuffed.

A neighbour said: " John is a big football fan, but he's not one for causing trouble.

"He's a decent lad, his family were really proud at how well he has done in his career.

"I can't see him going out to Portugal to cause trouble, he just isn't the type."

Another of the accused, John Parkes, 19, from Dudley, West Midlands, is an archaeology and ancient history student.

His mother, Josephine Parker, said had been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"I can't believe what has happened," she said. "They are respectable people who went out there just for a holiday - they didn't even have tickets for any games.

"He's been held since Monday night and he must be absolutely terrified."

Meanwhile, people living in Jack Ashdown-Hobbs's picturesque home village of Beckley, near Oxford, were also shocked at his arrest.

The £750,000 end-of-terrace stone cottage where Mr Ashdown-Hobbs lives with parents Michael and Mary in the pretty village was quiet.

But typical notices on the village board are for Women's Institute meetings, decking for sale and a villa to rent in Tuscany.

Staff at the local pub said the 19-year-old was never known to be on the wrong side of the law.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said of him and his younger brother, Ned: "They are both really lovely lads, very polite. I've known the family for years and they've grown up here."