A MAN has been given a three-year football banning order after being found guilty of possessing a flare at a Peterborough United match last season.
A MAN has been given a three-year football banning order after being found guilty of possessing a flare at a Peterborough United match last season.
The 35-year-old from Ipswich was caught on camera lighting the flare by a police officer shortly after kick-off, Peterborough Magistrates’ Court heard.
He was arrested as he exited the away end after the Championship clash with Ipswich on February 16. The man denied igniting the flare claiming he found it behind him and had only raised it in the air to prevent burning his trousers.
Sergeant Saunders said: “Flares can be very dangerous, as was demonstrated at this week’s pre-season friendly match between Lincoln and Celtic where a girl was injured by one.
“I hope this tough sentence sends out a clear message that we will not tolerate use of flares, or any other dangerous behaviour, at Peterborough United games this season.”
The man was also sentenced to 120 hours unpaid community service for a year and ordered to pay �500 costs.
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