It's important to note that the bold bits are incorrect.I'd usually inclined to agree. However I suspect that in this case the ban would be exactly the same, and any 'reduction' in the amount of the fine would be counteracted by the solicitor's fees.
He probably saved himself a couple of hundred quid by representing himself.
Credit to meldrew for holding his hands up but at the time me and the people round me were furious. We've come back from a 2 goal deficit in a 5-minute period and everyone's naturally cock-a-hoop.
But we've still got 10 minutes of normal time left and the City team are clearly in the zone, while Villa are on the ropes. Then people throw flares on the pitch and others run on so the game's held up while that's all sorted out. Villa could've gathered themselves in that couple of minutes while we lost focus. Plus we'd had a few previous incidents in the last few weeks.
I don't care how excited people are, they need to think before doing stupid things like that.
Yeaaah I agree….Meldrew could never of known Michael Oliver is a secret City fan & has been saving himself for a really big decision & would blow a minute early, come to think of it what about the butterfly effect? Meldrew doesn’t go on the pitch, Villa kick off twenty seconds earlier & go on to get an equaliser….well in Meldrew City legend!Credit to meldrew for holding his hands up but at the time me and the people round me were furious. We've come back from a 2 goal deficit in a 5-minute period and everyone's naturally cock-a-hoop.
But we've still got 10 minutes of normal time left and the City team are clearly in the zone, while Villa are on the ropes. Then people throw flares on the pitch and others run on so the game's held up while that's all sorted out. Villa could've gathered themselves in that couple of minutes while we lost focus. Plus we'd had a few previous incidents in the last few weeks.
I don't care how excited people are, they need to think before doing stupid things like that.
You're right to flag the potential consequences. Only question for me is whether four years is proportionate in the circs. It works as a deterrent for sure, but considering some have got three-year banning orders for violence it feels on the harsh side to me.Credit to meldrew for holding his hands up but at the time me and the people round me were furious. We've come back from a 2 goal deficit in a 5-minute period and everyone's naturally cock-a-hoop.
But we've still got 10 minutes of normal time left and the City team are clearly in the zone, while Villa are on the ropes. Then people throw flares on the pitch and others run on so the game's held up while that's all sorted out. Villa could've gathered themselves in that couple of minutes while we lost focus. Plus we'd had a few previous incidents in the last few weeks.
I don't care how excited people are, they need to think before doing stupid things like that.
Magistrates are shite and should be fucked off.Even before the match folk were talking about running on the pitch as if it was allowed, so I feel like Meldrew could have been any one of us in the giddiness of the moment. I bet that Blue dad whose daughter was pole dancing on the broken crossbar will be feeling a bit nervous right now.
A previous job took me to a lot of courts and the problem for defendants is while there are guidelines, how an individual case is dealt with it totally subjective, to the point what happens to a defendant really can depend on what mood the magistrate/judge is in, whether or not he's had lunch etc.
From what I've observed magistrates can sometimes be harder to persuade than crown court judges because they are lay people and rely on the legal advisor to tell them what to do, and the power can go to the legal advisors' heads.
Meanwhile even if you get a district judge in the mags they might be on a power trip. Then there's the scapegoat effect - the magistrates know there are concerns with coked up, boozed up disorder at matches - and end up making an example of whoever crosses their path even if the individual circs are minor.
I don't blame the OP for trying to represent himself, the problem is, even if a lawyer makes the same argument, their voice carries more weight and shows respect for the process. Plus many defence solicitors are football fans who like to stick it to the man (generally Alty Rags but still) so they will generally have a go for you.
As others have said it does help to have representation, and if possible an older relative/partner who looks respectable and contrite to go along with you. Anyway, hindsight is wonderful thing... hope you can appeal your ban Meldrew.
After the first and second goals I was furious with people chucking flares on because, as you say, we had momentum and needed to score. After the third I couldn’t give a shit as we were ahead and any time wasting was beneficial to us.Credit to meldrew for holding his hands up but at the time me and the people round me were furious. We've come back from a 2 goal deficit in a 5-minute period and everyone's naturally cock-a-hoop.
But we've still got 10 minutes of normal time left and the City team are clearly in the zone, while Villa are on the ropes. Then people throw flares on the pitch and others run on so the game's held up while that's all sorted out. Villa could've gathered themselves in that couple of minutes while we lost focus. Plus we'd had a few previous incidents in the last few weeks.
I don't care how excited people are, they need to think before doing stupid things like that.
What's happened with this, any further updates? Seen loads after the match holding flares/smokebombs on the pitch, surely they're not gonna go after everyone.Apparently City were in touch with my mates 18 year old yesterday. Images of him carrying a flare onto the pitch. I don't know the full details but my says his lad plastered pics of him and his mates all over SM with the flare and they referred to these as well.
What's happened with this, any further updates? Seen loads after the match holding flares/smokebombs on the pitch, surely they're not gonna go after everyone.