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Smoke bomb fan given three-year football ban

A football fan from Staffordshire has been banned from games for three years after letting off a smoke bomb at a Championship fixture.

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Benjamin Leighton has been given a three-year football ban

Benjamin Leighton, from Farrier Gardens in Eccleshall, was arrested at Ashton Gate stadium on October 27, where Stoke City were playing Bristol City.

The 24-year-old let off a smoke bomb inside the stadium and was convicted at Bristol Magistrates Court on December 6.

He received a £300 fine, £85 costs, a £30 victim surcharge and a three-year football banning order that stops him from attending any regulated football match, including internationals.

This means he is banned from any Premier League or lower league games, and when England are playing abroad the 24-year-old must surrender his passport to stop him from travelling to the game.

Pc Ben Greensides, from Staffordshire Police's football unit, said: "Sadly the use of pyrotechnics at football games is a growing trend and hopefully this conviction will go some way to deterring others from acting in the same way.

"Setting off items like smoke bombs at games can be dangerous to players, officials and fans and causes fear and distress to those in the near vicinity.

"Because of the disruption, often games must be paused whilst the area is made safe, which is unfair on thousands of paying fans who want to enjoy a game of football.

"Staffordshire Police does not tolerate anti-social behaviour at football matches and works closely with clubs to identify those looking to cause trouble so that we can prevent criminal actions before they happen."

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