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| Police 0 Aaron Cawley 1 |
Labourer Aaron Cawley, 24, of Blenheim Square, Cheltenham was arrested on the day of his team's visit to Fulham FC for being within five miles of a football stadium Leeds United were due to play at that day.
He appeared before Hammersmith Magistrates Court charged with breaching his football banning order by being present in New King's Road, Fulham on March 18, within five miles of Craven cottage, where Leeds United won their Championship fixture 3-0.
However, the court heard the five-mile rule – imposed at Sheffield Magistrates Court on November 21, 2012 – only applied to England international matches.
Cawley, who infamously punched Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland during a Yorkshire derby against Leeds United on October 19, 2012, has a shorter, one mile, exclusion from club games.
After accepting he was just over one mile away from Craven Cottage prosecutor Mr. Martin Edwards announced: “It seems to have been charged on a false basis,” and withdrew the case.
The court heard Cawley, who has 'LUFC' tattooed on his neck, has “anxiety issues” and brought a doctor's letter with him.
He remains subject to controls enforced by the UK Football Policing Unit.
He received four months imprisonment for assaulting the ex-England goalkeeper and was banned from watching all Leeds United football matches for life.
Footage from Sky Sports captured him dealing Kirkland a two-handed blow to the face and then running back to the stands, grinning and laughing.
He said he was too drunk to remember his actions after an all-day drinking session, during which he downed ten pints of cider, strong lager and vodka.
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