Man sentenced for assaulting police officer at football match in Milton Keynes
The incident took place on 25 January during a match between MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon
A 21-year-old man has been sentenced after assaulting a police officer at a football match in Milton Keynes.
Harry Cooper, of Palace Square, Milton Keynes, pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting an emergency worker at Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court on 10 February. He was sentenced to a three-year football banning order, a one-year conditional discharge, and ordered to pay court costs and a victim surcharge totalling £111.
The incident took place on 25 January during a match between MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon. Officers were escorting supporters away from the stadium when Cooper hit one of the officers. He was arrested and charged the same day.
PC Jon Evans, the dedicated Football Officer for Thames Valley Police, said: "I am pleased that Cooper has been brought before the courts and sentenced for this offence. This is wholly unacceptable behaviour. Our officers work tirelessly for the public, and we will never tolerate any form of assault on emergency workers, whose job it is to protect the public."
He continued, "We welcome the three-year football banning order following this incident. Football Banning Orders not only restrict supporters convicted of football-related offences from watching the team they follow, but they apply to all regulated football matches in the United Kingdom and some international matches and tournaments as well."
"Football matches should be a safe place for all people, and Thames Valley Police will always deal with incidents at football matches seriously and apply for Football Banning Orders where appropriate," PC Evans added.