A MAN from Yeovil has been banned from attending football matches for three years after he was convicted of possessing a firework, flare, or pyrotechnic item at Huish Park.
Aaron Guildford, 29, had the item in his possession at a Yeovil Town home game against Weymouth Town on October 16, 2021.
He was also fined at Yeovil Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to the offence.
Four other men supporting West Country clubs were fined and issued with football banning orders after admitting violent or inappropriate behaviour at games this season.
Callum Coen, 20 and from Lawrence Weston, received a three-year banning order after he was convicted of using words or behaving in a way likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress during disorder with Cardiff City fans before Bristol City’s home clash with the Welsh side on January 21, 2022.
James Chipchase, 26 and from Bournemouth, has been convicted of possessing a firework, flare or pyrotechnic item during Bristol City’s home game with AFC Bournemouth on October 16, 2021.
Chipchase received a three-year football banning order.
Richard Hathaway, 19 and from Southmead, was convicted of using words or behaving in a way likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress and entering the playing area after Bristol Rovers’ 0-0 draw with Forest Green Rovers on April 23, 2022.
Magistrates handed Hathaway a five-year football banning order.
Lee Wells, 38 and from Oldland Common, was given a three-year football banning order and ordered to carry out 100 hours of community service for his actions at the same game.
Wells entered the playing area, was found to be in possession of a firework, flare or pyrotechnic item, and convicted of using words or behaving in a way likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, has also been banned from attending matches after admitting assaulting a Scunthorpe United player in the closing stages of a Bristol Rovers match at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday, May 7.
A number of supporters ran onto the pitch when the game was still being played as Rovers pushed for promotion and a Scunthorpe player was pushed.
The teenager was given a caution, which includes being banned from attending football matches for a fixed period.
Avon and Somerset Police’s football unit have worked alongside the football club, the FA and the EFL in dealing with these incidents.
Inspector Mark Nicholson said: “There have been several incidents in recent weeks up and down the country of football fans running onto pitches and being violent towards players.
“Rightly, that has been condemned across the football community.
“We appreciate football is a passionate game and Bristol Rovers fans wanted to celebrate a 7-0 victory that would clinch promotion.
“On another day though, a minority of fans – albeit a significant minority – could have cost the team promotion by running onto the pitch because the referee gave serious consideration to abandoning the match.
“It’s important fans of all football clubs understand their actions have consequences; violence and endangering public safety is not acceptable.
“Several fans supporting clubs across the south west will miss out on attending games next season and for years to come because of their irresponsible actions.”
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