Footie fan given a banning order

A football fan has been given a banning order stopping him going to matches after he let off a smoke canister at a game.

Shaun Millward was at the game between Alfreton Town and Macclesfield at the Reds’ Impact Arena ground when he let off the cannister.

The 31-year-old, of Belgrave Road, Macclesfield, appeared at North East Derbyshire and Dales Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, May 28, where he pleaded guilty to being in possession of a smoke canister at a designated sporting event.

The court was told Millward attended the Alfreton match on April 26 and was seen to ignite and throw a smoke canister in the ground

He was made the subject of a 12-month community order and must complete 100 hours unpaid work. He was also given the three-year football banning order and was ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

PC Roger Brown, Football Intelligence Officer for Alfreton Town, said: “There has been a significant increase in the use of pyrotechnics at football matches.

“It is illegal and dangerous and anyone caught will be arrested and put before the courts.