A number of football fans - including supporters of Bristol City and Rovers - have received match bans due to violent or inappropriate behaviour at games.
Five men were fined and issued football banning orders at Bristol Magistrates Court last week after pleading guilty to offences committed this season. Three men from the Bristol region, one from Somerset and one from Dorset were convicted for their behaviour at football grounds across the Westcountry.
Callum Coen, 20, of Lawrence Weston, was convicted of using words or behaving in a way likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress during disorder with Cardiff City fans, prior to Bristol City’s home clash with the Welsh side on January 21, 2022. He received a three-year football banning order.
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Richard Hathaway, 19, of Southmead, was handed a five-year football banning order for using words or behaving in a way likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress and entering the pitch after Bristol Rovers’ 0-0 draw with Forest Green Rovers on April 23, 2022. Magistrates handed him a five-year football banning order.
Lee Wells, 38, from Oldland Common, was given a three-year football banning order and ordered to carry out 100 hours of community service for his actions at the same game on April 23. He entered the playing area and was found to be in possession of a firework, flare or pyrotechnic item. Wells was convicted of using words or behaving in a way likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
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James Chipchase, 26, from Bournemouth, has been convicted of possessing a firework, flare or pyrotechnic item during Bristol City’s home game with AFC Bournemouth on October 16, 2021. He received a three-year football banning order.
While Aaron Guildford, 29, of Yeovil, was convicted of the same offence in relation to his actions at Yeovil Town’s game at home to Weymouth Town on October 16, 2021. A three-year football banning order was given to him by magistrates.
Separately, a 16-year-old boy has also been banned from attending football matches after admitting to assaulting a Scunthorpe United player near the end of Bristol Rovers’ match at The Memorial Stadium on Saturday, May 7. Avon and Somerset Police said he was given a caution and a ban for attending football matches "for a fixed period".
Police previously confirmed no arrests were made after Rovers' 7-0 win against Scunthorpe after fans invaded the pitch in jubilation and celebrations spilt out onto the streets throughout the evening.
