Three-year ban for football supporter who took cocaine to stadium
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A Bradford City football supporter has been banned from attending any match in the UK for three years after he tried to take cocaine into a ground.
Aidan Lee, aged 25, from Bradford, was caught with the Class A drug at Meadow Lane stadium, Nottingham, on 18 November last year.
Magistrates heard he was at the ground to watch Notts County’s League Two fixture against Bradford City.
Lee came to the attention of a passive search dog as he approached the away turnstiles.
Four small bags containing a white substance (pictured) were discovered during a search, which tested positive for cocaine weighing a combined 1.8 grams.
Lee, of High House Avenue, Bradford, was subsequently charged with possession of a Class A drug.
He admitted the charge and was given a three-year football banning order (FBO) at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Friday March 15. He was also fined £425 and ordered to pay a £170 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.
The order means that Lee must not attend any regulated football match in England and Wales.
He will also have to surrender his passport when England play away fixtures and is banned from attending any of the national team’s home fixtures.
PC John Albanese, from our Football Policing Unit, said:
“This result sends out a clear message to fans that drugs will not be tolerated within football. This action was a joint effort by the police and football clubs to maintain safety and security at football events and to deter illegal activities.
“The overwhelming majority of fans behave as they should, but we are aware a small minority will let themselves and their clubs down. As such, we will continue to ensure action is taken and where appropriate FBOs are sought against those who commit offences.
“It’s important football matches are inclusive and safe places for all supporters. We will therefore continue to work closely with our local teams to clamp down on those who seek to bring or use any illegal substances or prohibited items into stadiums.”