Football fans who hid flares down their trousers banned from attending matches
18.06.2024 - 23:29
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Two Wigan Athletic supporters who tried to sneak flares into a football stadium have been banned from attending matches.
Ashley McGowan and Ryan Heathcote, both 20, hid the pyrotechnics down their trousers before trying to gain entry to the Latics' League One fixture away at Cheltenham Town on November 11 of last year. The pair were stopped by security staff at the ground, who then informed police that they were carrying flares.
McGowan, of Chorley in Lancashire, was found to have hidden two large cylindrical flares within the lower part of his trouser leg. Heathcote, from Manchester, had hidden a large cylindrical flare in the waistband of his trousers.
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The pair have now been given a three-year football banning order after pleading guilty to possession of a firework while trying to enter a designated sports ground, where a regulated football fixture was to be held. As well as the banning order, they were each ordered to pay costs of £165 and a fine of £200.
Dedicated Football Officer PC Adrian Tuft said: "The use of pyrotechnics or even trying to get them into a football stadium is a criminal offence.
"Here at Gloucestershire Constabulary we will always take action against anyone who is using or found to be in possession of flares. This includes both inside or while attempting to enter a football stadium.
"Anyone who is caught with flares faces becoming the subject of a Football Banning Order like McGowan and Heathcote have.
"The use of pyrotechnics at football grounds presents a real risk to fans and there have been serious injuries as a result of their use. Our primary aim is always to keep fans safe."
John Duffy, safety