Everton FC Flare Fan Banned For Three Years

An Everton FC fan has been banned from football for three years after his illegal flare singed a ten year-old girl's hair and burned through two layers of clothing during the club's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium.

Thomas McGill, 26, lit the flare moments after an own goal by Manchester United's Chris Smalling brought Everton level at 1-1 just fifteen minutes before full-time.

They eventually lost the match 2-1.

McGill, of Mallory Road, Whitby, Ellesmere pleaded guilty at Hendon Magistrates Court to assaulting the young fan on April 23.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing the flare at a designated sporting event and possessing a small amount of cocaine.

After he was bailed for a pre-sentence report McGill returned and was ordered to complete 150 hours community service work and fined £470.

The court also imposed a three-year football banning order, which prohibits him attending organised football matches for the next three season.

Prosecutor Miss Indira Gohlar told the court: "The victim was with her sister and father and when Everton scored the defendant lit a flare and started waving it.

"Sparks from the flare singed the ten year-old's hair and clothing, two layers of clothing were burnt through, and luckily there was no contact with the skin."

The girl's father complained to McGill, who said he was unaware of what had happened.

"On seeing security guards coming towards him he tried to discard the flare and was ejected and arrested," explained Miss Gohlar.

"When McGill was searched class A drugs were found in a tissue, which were tested and confirmed as cocaine.

"He admitted to the police he had lit the flare, saying he had got it from someone inside the stadium who had offered it to him.

"He also said he got the cocaine from someone inside the stadium, but did not pay for it, agreeing he would give them forty or fifty pounds on the next occasion.

"He said he did two lines of cocaine and throughout the day had consumed seven to eight pints of lager.

"He said he was not paralytic, but was a little bit drunk and said he lit the flare when he got carried away by Everton scoring.

"He admitted it was a stupid thing to do and he was sorry about the assault and said he only realised what had happened when the child's father told him.

"He said he was sorry and did not intend to hurt anybody.

"The incident could have escalated, but for the actions of the girl's father and the stewards," added Miss Gohlar, who also applied for a football banning order."

McGill confirmed to the court he was a long-term Everton FC fan and a banning order would punish him.

He also told police his actions were "idiotic".