'Idiot' Chester FC pitch invader spared jail 'by skin of his teeth'

Deputy District Judge Andrew Garthwaite told Daniel John Jones, 34, of Gerrards Avenue, Boughton, Chester, that what the offender had done was "rank stupidity".

Chester Magistrates Court heard on Friday, November 3 that Jones was already subject to a Football Banning Order (FBO) and shouldn't even have been at the Chester FC play-off semi-final against Brackley Town FC on Sunday, May 7.

Jones had previously admitted breaching the football banning order and invading the pitch. He had denied throwing missiles, but changed his plea to guilty in advance of what was due to be his trial date. He accepted he was also in breach of an 18-month community order.

Prosecuting, Jessica Pridding said on May 7, Brackley Town won the game 1-0 and, following the final whistle, a number of Chester fans invaded the pitch and missiles were also thrown towards opposition players and fans.

Jones was one of those involved in the disorder; he was seen on CCTV footage running onto the pitch and using threatening behaviour towards opposition fans. He was also witnessed throwing a blue smoke flare towards the opposition and tried to encourage others on to the pitch, as well as appearing to take items out of his pocket and throw them.

'Should not have been there'

Jones had previously been sentenced to an eight-year FBO in 2018 for his part in an affray on the day of a Chester FC match against Wrexham on Wednesday, November 8, 2017.

He had 21 previous convictions for 25 offences.

A probation report heard that while Jones's attendance on his probation sessions had been sporadic, it was believed he could still be managed in the community and was suitable for unpaid work, if the current order was revoked and resentenced.

Defending, Steve Coupe said it was a big game for Chester FC and Jones's friends were going. An offer of a spare ticket was made to him and "didn't have the resolve to say no", and it was accepted Jones "behaved like an idiot at the end of the game" and "should not have been there in the first place".

It was the first time he had breached the FBO and he had improved his work with probation.

"There is still mileage in trying to assist this man," Mr Coupe added.

DDJ Garthwaite told Jones: "One would have hoped you would have learned [from the previous offending]. You are 34, you are too old to be getting involved in this type of behaviour.

"It's a game – grow up!"

The Deputy District Judge said Jones, with his offending, had "driven a coach and horses" through the custody threshold and there had "never been a clearer breach" of a FBO, adding that throwing a flare at away fans was "rank stupidity of the highest order".

He added: "but for the report by probation and your solicitor, you would be going to prison today," adding he had been spared prison by the "skin of his teeth".

Jones was sentenced to a total of 26 weeks in prison, suspended for two years. He must complete 120 hours unpaid work and 25 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement.

The DDJ added: "I expect you to do a damn sight better than the last [order]."

Jones was also handed a new FBO to last five years, which will overlap with the current FBO. The court heard this was the maximum FBO length for a defendant not immediately going to prison.

Jones said what he had done was "daft", to which DDJ Garthwaite replied: "I think 'daft' is the understatement of the year."

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The defendant must also pay £120 costs and a £154 victim surcharge.

Following the sentencing, Police Constable James Wright, of Chester Proactive Team, said: “Jones should never have been at the match that day and it is clear that he was one of the instigators of the disorder.

“He joined the pitch invasion at the outset, was threatening towards the opposition fans and threw a number of missiles at away supporters.

“Thankfully, he has now been held accountable for his actions and I hope that it acts as warning to anyone who is planning on causing trouble at any future matches.”

• Joseph McCormack, 28, of West Street, Chester, and Niall Monahan, 30, of Saddlery Way, Chester, both pleaded guilty at Chester Magistrates Court on Friday, November 3 to invading the Chester FC pitch on May 7.

McCormack also admitted assaulting a police officer, causing the officer bruising, while Monahan admitted a charge of threatening behaviour.

Pre-sentence reports will be prepared for both defendants, who were unconditionally bailed to reappear at Chester Magistrates Court on December 4, where they are to expect to receive FBOs as part of their sentences.