A Cardiff City football fan, who had consumed a cocktail of cocaine and alcohol, was caught throwing a 50p coin onto the pitch during his team’s Championship clash with Millwall last month, a court heard.
Courtney Tucker, 38, had travelled to The Den in south-east London on February 12, where the Welsh club were defeated 2-1.
The father-of-two, of Cowbridge Road E, Canton, Cardiff, who works part-time in the building trade, pleaded guilty last Wednesday to throwing a missile at a spectators area, contrary to the Football (Offences) Act.
He also pleaded guilty to possessing a small quantity of cocaine.
Two days before the match Tucker had excitedly tweeted: "Just booked on for Millwall away, happy f***ing days."
Prosecutor Mr Subhanur Chowdhury told Bromley Magistrates’ Court: “At Millwall football stadium stewards were concerned that he threw something at the football pitch.
“CCTV was viewed confirming he threw a fifty pence piece onto the football pitch.
“He was stopped and searched and a small amount of cocaine was found in his possession.”
First-time offender Tucker was arrested.
“He said the small amount of cocaine was for his personal use and he unfortunately loses his good character today.”
Tucker’s lawyer Cleo McLaren said: “He is embarrassed to be here today. He has been attending football matches all of his life, since he was a young boy with his grandfather.
“He had not been out much since lockdown and just took it too far.
“As he told the police: ‘It was silly. I had too many beers and a bit of that cocaine.’
“It was at the end of the match and there was some banter going on between the supporters and the coin was not aimed at anyone in particular or any player.”
The court decided not to make a football banning order and magistrate Stefan Smith told Tucker: “We must make an order to reduce violent offending at football matches, but we think it is unlikely you will repeat such behaviour.”
Instead Tucker was conditionally discharged for two years, fined £184 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £34 victim surcharge.
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