Fan banned from Birmingham City games for four years after throwing smoke grenade at St. Andrew’s

A football fan has been banned from attending Birmingham City games for four years after throwing a smoke grenade. Michael O’Neill also has a prison sentence hanging over his head after starting the ‘fireworks’ at St. Andrew’s Stadium on January 22 this year when the Blues beat Barnsley two-to-one in the Championship .

Compounding his 30-something behavior from Manor Road, Stechford attacked a female victim the same day. Previously at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court he pleaded guilty to possessing a firework/flare at a sporting event, launching a missile at a spectator area as well as an offense of aggression.

His case was adjourned for the probation service to question him and recommend an appropriate sentence in a pre-sentence report. O’Neill, also known as Michael Roberts, was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months by the same court on Monday April 11.

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He must adhere to an electronically tagged curfew for four months between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. and complete up to 50 days of rehabilitation activity. O’Neill was also asked to pay £75 compensation to the victim of the assault.

Under the football banning order, he must not go near a ground where Birmingham City are playing away games for three hours before kick-off and for three hours after kick-off. final whistle. The same conditions apply at St. Andrew’s Stadium on home match days and England international matches.

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