A Swindon man has been banned from attending football matches after punching a police officer at a game.
James Farmer, 29, pleaded guilty to causing intentional harassment, alarm or distress and assaulting an emergency worker when he appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court.
The defendant, of Munro Close, Walcot, attacked the officer and instigated a disorder prior to a Swindon Town versus Bristol Rovers match on 28 February.
When arrested he was found in possession of weighted gloves.
He was given a three year football banning order, alongside a community order in which he must complete 40 hours of unpaid work.
PC Dan Hatt, of Wiltshire Police, said: “This kind of behaviour has absolutely no place in football or in our communities.
“Threatening violence to opposition supporters or the people that work at football matches is a serious matter, and this banning order reflects that.
We hope this outcome sends a clear message that disorder of this nature will not be tolerated, and we will continue to work with clubs and partners to keep supporters safe.”
Inspector Louis McCoy, Force Operations, said: “We will continue to be robust around our policing and response to disorder at football matches and will look to hold those to account who break the law and display poor behaviour, ruining the game for others.
“We are continuing to investigate the STFC v BRFC match and expect further arrests to follow.”
