A Leeds fan who was caught on camera exposing his backside at Albion fans after the two teams played at the Amex has been banned from watching live football for three years.
On Thursday, he pleaded guilty to using threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress.
The maintenance man, from Murray Avenue, Leeds, was captured on CCTV being abusive and bearing his backside to Albion fans leaving the Amex following the match against Leeds United on February 24.
He received a three year football banning order, a victim surcharge of £20 and was ordered to pay £83 costs.
Oliver Burgess, 21, a student, of Petersfield, Pembury in Kent, appeared at court on Wednesday, charged with using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress outside the Royal Standard in Queen’s Road, Brighton on December 12 before the match against Millwall. His homophobic chanting was witnessed by police officers and he was arrested.
He accepted and pleaded guilty to a lesser charge under Section 5 of the Public Order Act and received a conditional discharge for a year along with a £100 fine. The court heard how since the incident he had attended and completed a diversity course and no football banning order was issued.
PC Darren Balkham, Sussex Police football liaison officer, said: “Although these are technically low level offences in the scale of the Public Order Act, they did cause offence.
“Both incidents were witnessed by police officers who intervened, demonstrating the tone-setting approach to anti social behaviour we have in partnership with the stewards at the Albion. Both men were remorseful for their actions and one now can’t support his team home or away for the next three years.”
