An Everton FC fan has received a four year football banning order after hitting an Aston Villa player with a plastic Lucozade bottle.
Roger Tweedle, 19, received the four year banning order after he threw the plastic bottle onto the pitch, hitting Villa right-back Matty Cash, during the Everton vs Aston Villa match at Goodison earlier this year. Tweedle, of Cranehurst Road, Walton, appeared at South Sefton Magistrates Court and was found guilty of throwing missiles onto a football pitch and section 39 assault.
Tweedle was issued with a four year football banning order preventing him from attending any regulated football matches during that time. He received an eight week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months and ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay a fine and court costs.
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Tweedle threw the bottle from the Bullens Road area of the ground and hit Cash on the head during the game on January 22. He was arrested by police and charged the following day.
Match Commander, Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Paul White said: "Such behaviour at sporting events will not be tolerated by Merseyside Police, and working closely with clubs, we are doing all we can to eradicate such behaviour. Players should not have to tolerate any items being thrown towards them or onto the pitch. It endangers players, spectators, fans and officials and the consequences are potentially catastrophic.
"We work closely with the management and staff from Everton FC and this outcome was made possible by the diligence of officers and stewards on duty at this game. Tweedle will now have a criminal record and the consequences of this in the future could prove to be significant.
"I would also like to warn anyone thinking about engaging in this type of behaviour that we will pursue all such incidents until offenders are brought to justice. It is vital that anyone who witnesses such offences reports them to police. We would also encourage any members of the community with information to speak with officers or stewards at the ground, or to call 101. Anyone with information who does not wish to speak with us directly can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."
