A Carlisle United fan who threw a missile towards Bradford City supporters during a pitch invasion apologised to his club and said he had let his family down.
Jordan White, 25, appeared at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court today and was sentenced following an incident after the high profile match at Brunton Park on May 20.
United had beaten Bradford City in front of a 15,000-plus people to book their place at Wembley for the League 2 play-off final.
Prosecutor Glenn Anderton told magistrates of jubilant scenes at the final whistle: “There is a pitch invasion of fans from Carlisle who are clearly celebrating. However, matters escalate and fans go to the away end containing Bradford supporters.”
CCTV footage showed a line of police officers seeking to prevent them getting too close to that section, and also White.
“In relation to this defendant he is seen with a full Lucozade bottle, launching it towards fans in the Bradford City area,” said Mr Anderton. “I’m told it didn’t hit anybody. I’m told it hit some netting at the side of the pitch.”
Because the culprit’s identity was not known, police issued an appeal for information and a CCTV still.
“The defendant himself saw the footage and contacted the police,” said the prosecutor. White admitted he was the person in the picture and had thrown the bottle after finding it on the pitch.
Mr Anderton added: “He indicated he had been drinking in a number of establishments before the game and had around four or five pints.”
In court White, of Holmacres Drive, Carlisle, admitted a charge of throwing a missile at a spectator area. He had no previous criminal convictions to his name.
Speaking in his own defence, White said: “I just want to apologise to Carlisle United for what I did. I’ve let my family down. I’ve been going to Carlisle games home and and away for I don’t know how long — a long time.”
It had been, he said, a heat of the moment act. And he added: “It is a mistake I have got to live with.”
Police had sought the imposition of a football banning order which would have prevented White attended any UK football matches for three years.
Magistrates were told by their legal advisor that such an order must be made if they were satisfied there were reasonable grounds to believe it would prevent match-related violence or disorder.
But after retiring briefly, magistrates decided they were not so satisfied and opted not to impose the order in light of White’s remorse and lack of previous offending.
“You don’t appear to have any propensity for this sort of behaviour,” said lead magistrate David Wilson.
White was fined £246 and must pay £85 costs and a £98 surcharge.
