A football fan has been banned from attending any games for three years after he was found guilty of punching a police horse.
Peter Mincher, 43, of Hartlepool, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal when he appeared at Bristol Magistrates' Court on January 31.
The court heard how he punched Police Horse 'Blaise' in the head before the National League playoff final between Hartlepool United and Torquay United at Ashton Gate Stadium on June 20 last year.
Avon and Somerset Police Horses posted a photo of the horse called 'PH Blaise'.
It said: "A good result at Bristol Magistrates' Court today!
"A male charged with punching PH Blaise during a football match last year was found guilty and convicted - he also received a football banning order for three years and over £1,000 in fines".
Peter was fined and ordered to pay costs and a victim surcharge totalling £1,215.
He may be required to surrender his passport to the police before overseas matches and tournaments take place.
The maximum sentence for assaulting a police horse can include jail time, with a Portsmouth fan jailed in July 2020 for a similar assault.
Another man was also convicted of a violent offence during a football game in Bristol.
Brandon Elvin was witnessed by a police officer punching another man to the floor on Ashton Road following Bristol City’s game against Queens Park Rangers on December 30 last year.
The victim left the scene and has not been identified, while Brandon Elvin was arrested.
Elvin appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court on Friday, January 28, where he pleaded guilty to a public order offence and was jailed for four weeks as well as a six-year football banning order.
PC Tom Williams, a dedicated football officer for Avon and Somerset Police, said: “These two men have thrown punches in the middle of a residential street, which is completely unacceptable and is likely to cause people alarm.
“Incidents of disorder have risen nationally this season and I’d like to reassure both fans of football and other members of the public that we continue to work closely with partners, including clubs, to make matches a safe environment for all.
“There is absolutely no place for any kind of violence in football and we will deal robustly with anyone who engages in such behaviour.”
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