3 fans banned from football after Peterborough v Cambridge disorder
The men were identified as part of a group trying to provoke Cambridge United fans
Three men have been banned from attending football matches following their involvement in disorder between fans at a game between Peterborough United and Cambridge United last year.
An operation was launched following the game at the Weston Homes Stadium in London Road, Peterborough, on 29 October, resulting in 47 people being identified and interviewed as part of the disorder.
Dean Foster, 20, Kyle Mortlock, 23, and Thomas Mott, 22, were identified as part of a group trying to goad Cambridge United fans, chanting about Simon Dobbin – a fan who tragically died in 2015 from injuries sustained in an attack at a match between Southend and Cambridge.
They all appeared at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 17 March, where they admitted using threatening words or behaviour with intent to cause harassment, alarm or distress – a section 5 public order offence.
All three men have been made subject of a three-year Football Banning Order (FBO) which specifies:
• In the United Kingdom, he is banned from entering any premises for the purpose of attending a football match, including all football grounds in the top seven leagues
• Outside the United Kingdom, he must report to a police station according to instructions that will be notified to the defendant by the Football Banning Orders Authority
• The defendant must surrender any travel authorisation document (passport, identity card, or any other form of travel authorisation) in the defendant’s name according to instructions notified by the Football Banning Orders Authority
• On the day when Peterborough United are playing at the Weston Homes Stadium in London Road, he will not enter or remain in any area inside a specified boundary between four hours prior to the scheduled kick-off time and three hours after the conclusion of the fixture
• On the day when Peterborough United are playing in a fixture away from the Weston Homes Stadium in London Road, he will not approach, within a two-mile radius of the stadium where the game is taking place, between six hours prior to the scheduled kick-off time and three hours after the end of the game
Foster, of Cornwallis Drive, Eaton Socon, was fined £461 and must also pay £105 in court costs and a £184 victim surcharge.
Mortlock, of Middletons Road, Yaxley, was fined £406 and must also pay £105 in court costs and a £162 victim surcharge.
Mott, of Farriers Gate, Chatteris, was fined £120 and must also pay £105 in court costs and a £48 victim surcharge.
To date, 47 people have been identified and interviewed as part of the investigation, 21 of whom have been charged with either a section 4 or section 5 public order offence and one with criminal damage.
Eleven people have already been sentenced, while eight are due to appear in court in the coming weeks.
Inspector Shish Thind, who is leading the investigation, said: “The behaviour from this small group of individuals was wholly unacceptable and incredibly disrespectful.
“While all three have shown remorse for their actions, I hope these sentences serve as a warning that we will not tolerate such behaviour, there is no place for it at our football games.”
Chief Executive Officer of Cambridge United Football Club, Alex Tunbridge, said: “Cambridge United was appalled to hear such unacceptable chants and there can be no justification for such callous acts.
“The chants caused significant distress to the family and friends of Simon Dobbin, as well as the Club and wider fan base.
“Cambridge United will continue to support Nicole and the Dobbin family.”