Gloucester City fan handed football ban after assaulting teenager

A 16-year-old boy has received a three-year football banning order after he assaulted a 15-year-old boy at a match.

The boy from Gloucester, who is not being named for legal reasons, appeared at Cheltenham Youth Court on Friday.

He pleaded guilty to assault and affray after a teenage boy sustained a broken nose and a head injury at a Southport FC match on Saturday 1 April.

The teenager also received an eight-month referral order and a three-year football banning order.

Officers were called to reports that a 15-year-old boy had been punched outside Southport FC's stadium on Haig Avenue, after a match against Gloucester City.

CCTV footage of the assault after the game identified a 16-year-old boy from Gloucester as the attacker, Merseyside Police said.

Speaking after the sentencing, Insp Tony Grimes said: "This type of behaviour could have left a teenage boy with serious injuries and has no place in football.

"Our officers will continue to work with clubs to find those responsible for such crimes and bring them to justice so this doesn't happen to another supporter at our grounds."

A Southport FC spokesman said: "There is no place for this kind of behaviour at football matches and Southport Football Club and our stewards will continue to work closely with the necessary authorities to ensure that The Big Help Stadium remains a safe environment for supporters of all ages to attend matches."

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