A man has been banned from going to any football matches anywhere in the UK for three years after he invaded the pitch during Manchester United’s Champions League game against Atalanta.
Dex Lewis, 29, charged onto the pitch during the game in October this year. He was caught and arrested by officers assisting with crowd control, the MEN reports.
Appearing at Manchester Magistrates’ Court Lewis, of Newport, pleaded guilty to an offence of going onto an area adjacent to a playing area. He was fined £230 and ordered to pay £119 court costs.
Read more: Go here to see all the latest court coverage from around Wales
The particulars of the offence stated: “On October 10, 2021, at Trafford, at a designated football match held at Old Trafford Stadium, without lawful authority or lawful excuse, went onto an area adjacent to the playing area to which spectators were not generally admitted.” This is contrary to sections four and five of the Football (Offences) Act 1991.
Sentencing him, chairman of the bench Ronald Marshall said: “It’s a criminal offence to encroach onto a pitch. There are a number of signs around every football stadium that if you do you might be taken to court – whatever the reason is.”
Lewis, of Chepstow Road, was handed a £230 fine and must also pay a £34 victim surcharge and court costs of £85. He must pay the sums back at a rate of £100 a month.
He was also made the subject of a football banning order for three years. “You are not to enter any stadium or attend any football matches in the UK,” Mr Marshall said.
“On occasions where matches are likely to go abroad you must go to Newport police station and surrender your travel documents.”
To get the latest news from WalesOnline sent straight to your email inbox click here .
