A notorious football yob, arrested all over the country following his beloved Arsenal, has been slapped with a three-year official ban for a series of alcohol-related incidents at matches.
Police received a string of complaints from fellow-supporters and local pub landlords about 44 year-old Gary Smith’s boozy behaviour and he had been arrested by police in Glasgow, Wolverhampton and Barnet.
Smith (pictured) of Newlife Apartments, Northampton was arrested by the Metropolitan Police’s Football Intelligence Unit and cannot attend Arsenal matches – home or away – for the period of the order.
He pleaded guilty at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court to being drunk and disorderly outside Arsenal Underground Station on November 30, last year as he travelled to a home fixture at the Emirates’ Stadium.
Police noticed he appeared heavily intoxicated and was seen to barge into other football supporters.
Islington Police's Football Intelligence Unit successfully applied for a Section 14A football banning order against him.
Police Constable Dave Walters, Football Intelligence Officer for Islington, said: “Mr. Smith's banning order will come as a great relief to law abiding Arsenal fans.
“The police received several complaints about his behaviour from his fellow supporters and local licensees.
“The Football Intelligence Unit is actively building similar profiles for all people who come to notice of police on match days.
“This will include both those involved in football violence and those who behave in an 'anti-social' manner.
“It is a small minority of supporters that attend football and cause problems and it those people that we are targeting and bringing to justice.”
The banning order runs from December 15, 2010 to December 15 2013 and prohibits Smith from coming within 2km of the Emirates’ Stadium on matchdays and similarly entering any town where Arsenal have an away fixture.
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