Supporter hit with four-year football banning order

A Stoke City supporter has been fined more than £2,000 and banned from attending any regulated football matches for four years.

Jason Vernon, 54, from Chell, Stoke-on-Trent, is barred from games, including international fixtures, following remarks he made after Stoke’s home game against Blackburn on Saturday 25 November last year.

Vernon racially abused a steward as he left the ground. He then assaulted a police officer.

At the North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Thursday (August 29), he pleaded guilty to racially/religiously aggravated common assault/beating and assault by beating of an emergency worker.

He was also fined £2,160 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and an £864 victim surcharge.

PC Ben Greensides, our dedicated football officer for Stoke City Football Club, said: “This is a great result that sends out a clear message that this type of behaviour will result in robust action being taken by clubs, the police, and ultimately the courts.

“Incidents of hate at football matches will not be tolerated and neither will violence against our officers.

“This outcome is the result of the positive work being done by Stoke City, Staffordshire Police and the courts to stamp out this unacceptable behaviour and we will continue to take action against those who use football stadiums as a venue to commit crimes of hate.”

PC Greensides and other officers monitor crimes at games around the county and online, working with clubs including Stoke City, Port Vale, Burton Albion, Hednesford Town, Stafford Rangers, Tamworth FC and also non-league clubs.