‘Stupid’ pitch invader banned

THE DRUNKTROUBLE MAKER RAN ON TO THE PITCH AT ST JAMES’PARK

A pitch invader who “remonstrated” with a player from his home team has been banned from every football ground in the country.

Drunk Neil Meredith ran onto the field in the 85th minute of Newcastle’s Good Friday clash against Leeds at St James’ Park.

The 29-year-old was an away supporter but was sitting among home fans in the Gallowgate End before storming onto the pitch in the dying minutes of normal time. He was then seen to bow down in front of goalie Rob Green before turning and “remonstrating” with Leeds defender Pontus Jansson, a court heard.

Moments later, he was wrestled to the ground by stewards and marched off the field.

A video later appeared, which apparently showed Meredith being led away from St James’ Park and captured the angry reactions of Newcastle supporters after Leeds equalised in subsequent stoppage time.

Magistrates heard the arresting police officer was assaulted and left with a bloody nose by a member of the jeering crowd, which was “incited and upset” by Meredith’s behaviour, as he was led away.

Now, Meredith, of Hammond Drive, Darlington, has been fined and banned from going to matches for three years after he pleaded guilty to going onto the playing area at a football match.

Laura Lax, prosecuting at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court, said both Newcastle United and Leeds United had been left “embarrassed” as the invasion was captured on live TV.

Ms Lax said: “It was the 85th minute and, while the match was still ongoing, the defendant jumped over barriers and ran on to the pitch, which interrupted live TV broadcasts.

“He made an attempt to approach several players before running around the pitch and remonstrating with a Leeds player before being wrestled to the ground by stewards.

“He was arrested by police and taken to a police station but, because he was sat in the home fans’ area, the officer who led him out was actually assaulted by members of the crowd, who were incited and upset by the defendant’s behaviour.

“The officer who escorted the defendant through the ground suffered a bloody nose.” Meredith admitted in interview that he had drank six or seven pints before the match started.

Ms Lax added: “He said he had done what he had done because he wanted to meet some of the Leeds players.

“That doesn’t match with him remonstrating with a Leeds player.”

Meredith was fined £80 and was made subject of a three-year Football Banning Order.

Representing himself in court, he said: “I know I was wrong and stupid. I only go to three or four games a season and I won’t be doing it again.

“I’m sorry I wasted your time.” LAURA LAX