Merseyside Police

[M18CTID]

I too was thrown out of this game for singing at half time, missed both Derby games, Scunthorpe & Pompey, which I believe I didn't miss much. I'm due in court this week where they're hoping to get a 3 year banning order, for singing!!!!!!!! You just couldn't make it up!
I got in touch with FSF who are helping me with my case but wondered if anyone had got any video footage of what actually happened at half time. I've looked on You Tube but can't see anything. If anyone's got anything that may be of any assistance I'd be very grateful, otherwise it'll be my words against theirs, hmmm wonder who'll win that one?????

My mate's up in court this morning, along with a good few other blues as well. He's guilty of about as much as you which is nothing, plus being provoked into a verbal reaction when they flung him against a wall after lifting him. He contacted the FSF but unfortunately they're too busy dealing with everybody else's cases. He can't get legal aid because he's earning too much, yet he can't afford a solicitor because he's going through a messy split with his wife. So he's got to make do with a duty solicitor which is about as much use as a chocolate fireguard. If he (along with you and everybody else nicked on that day) end up with 3-year banning orders as a result of next to nothing happening then it's a fucking disgrace. I always thought banning orders were only ever handed out to hardcore football hooligans and also for serious offences such as racist abuse. I had no idea that they were also issued to genuine football fans who have been stitched up on trumped-up charges.

 

[blu]

go not guilty,take it to trial..call 3000 witnesses...?

 

[M18CTID]

go not guilty,take it to trial..call 3000 witnesses...?

Don't think it's as easy as that lol. I was sat elsewhere and only saw him being escorted away from his seat. Another mate was sat next to him so at least witnessed some of what happened. It would basically be the word of 2 people maximum against 4 coppers and it doesn't take a genius to work out who they'd believe.

 

[M18CTID]

Update - It went a bit better than we feared. He pleaded guilty and ended up with a £200 fine plus was bound over for 18 months. No banning order though thankfully. He was bricking it a bit because the first 5 City fans who were up all got 3-year banning orders - it seems that they all had previous whereas my mate didn't which obviously must've counted in his favour.

 

[Eds]

Why did he plead guilty if he wasn't!!!

 

[KenTheLandlord]

Update - It went a bit better than we feared. He pleaded guilty and ended up with a £200 fine plus was bound over for 18 months. No banning order though thankfully. He was bricking it a bit because the first 5 City fans who were up all got 3-year banning orders - it seems that they all had previous whereas my mate didn't which obviously must've counted in his favour.

so he has a record and is £200 worse off? and thats better than you feared?

 

[M18CTID]

Why did he plead guilty if he wasn't!!!

The charge related to being "drunk in a sports ground" and "aggressive behaviour" or something along those lines. He wasn't pissed and apart from a bit of backchat he wasn't aggressive. But one person's word against the lies of 4 police officers isn't going to get believed in a million years (and anybody who thinks otherwise needs to give their head a shake) - not unless he'd forked out big money for decent representation which is something he can't afford.

 

[M18CTID]

Update - It went a bit better than we feared. He pleaded guilty and ended up with a £200 fine plus was bound over for 18 months. No banning order though thankfully. He was bricking it a bit because the first 5 City fans who were up all got 3-year banning orders - it seems that they all had previous whereas my mate didn't which obviously must've counted in his favour.

so he has a record and is £200 worse off? and thats better than you feared?

Whichever way you look at it, it's better than getting a banning order as well. Unless you can afford to fork out for a solicitor, then you've got next to no chance of winning a case like that. Football fans are still viewed as scum by too many people.

 

[chedinho]

Update - It went a bit better than we feared. He pleaded guilty and ended up with a £200 fine plus was bound over for 18 months. No banning order though thankfully. He was bricking it a bit because the first 5 City fans who were up all got 3-year banning orders - it seems that they all had previous whereas my mate didn't which obviously must've counted in his favour.

sad thing is tho,your mate now has previous.

 

[city-till-i-cry]

Im happy enough. Fine it a bit of a twat, so is the criminal record. But avoided the 3 year ban which they were giving out like there was no tommorow at first!