Six men banned from football matches for total of 30 years
It follows a number of incidents at Bristol City and Bristol Rovers games
Last updated 16th Jun 2022
Football banning orders totalling 30 years have been handed to six people following incidents during the 2021/22 season.
The incidents happened both before and during Bristol City and Bristol Rovers games.
Two of the men responsible also received a custodial sentence.
The bans prevent the offenders from attending any match in the UK for the duration of the order or going to certain areas near football stadiums on match days.
They must also surrender their passports ahead of England international matches outside UK.
The incidents include:
Bristol Rovers v Swindon Town – 2 October 2021
A 27-year-old man was jailed for 10 weeks yesterday (Wednesday 15 June) at Bristol Magistrates Court for his involvement in pre-match disorder in Gloucester Road.
The man pleaded guilty to a public order offence and was also handed a six-year football banning order, after a Swindon Town fan was kicked on the ground.
A second man from Kingswood, who was 17 at the time of the incident, admitted the same charge. He received a five-year football banning order and a 12-month community order, which includes him having to complete 220 hours of unpaid work.
Bristol City v Derby County – 4 December 2021
A 24-year-old man from Derby was last month sentenced for running the length of the field to try to incite home fans at Ashton Gate.
He appeared in court on Tuesday 31 May and admitted the pitch incursion offence. He received a three-year football banning order and will need to pay ÂŁ439 by way of a fine and costs.
Bristol City v Middlesbrough – 19 February 2022
A man caught trying to ignite a smoke device among home supporters after Bristol City scored has received a three-year football banning order.
Spencer Pettifor, of Stiling Close in Highbridge, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a pyrotechnic under the Sporting Events Act and he was sentenced on Wednesday 8 June.
The 31-year-old also will have to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work as part of a 12-month community order and must pay a total of ÂŁ180 in costs and a fine.
Bristol Rovers v Forest Green Rovers – 23 April 2022
Two men appeared before Bristol Magistrates Court on Thursday 9 June and pleaded guilty to one public order charge regarding threatening behaviour and a second for pitch incursion while dressed as knights templars following the 0-0 draw at The Memorial Stadium.
James Mallett, of Moravian Road in Kingswood, was jailed for 10 weeks and order to pay a total of ÂŁ128 in costs and fine.
The 36-year-old lunged at police and he received a 10-year football banning order after magistrates heard he had previously had a six-year ban.
An 18-month community order was handed to Daniel Athey, of Church Road in Kingswood, in addition to a three-year football banning order. The 39-year-old also will be required to carry out 220 hours of community service and pay costs and a fine totalling ÂŁ280.
Two other men received football banning orders relating to this game last month, while enquiries are ongoing into a number of other offences committed that day.
Inspector Mark Nicholson said: "Threatening behaviour and actions that could potentially endanger public safety will not be tolerated.
"Thousands of football fans enjoy games across Avon and Somerset without issue every season. I am sure they will welcome the bans handed down by the courts to these six individuals who have acted irresponsibly.
"We will continue to proactively work with football clubs so match days remain an occasion all fans can enjoy and safely attend."