Fan with cocaine banned from football games

A man has been given a three-year football banning order after he was caught with cocaine at a match.

John Millie, 39, of Kenley Gardens, in Hornchurch, east London, was stopped and searched by security staff at a match at Southend United's Roots Hall stadium on 1 February.

A packet of white powder was found in his possession, and he admitted possession of a Class A drug on 13 June at Chelmsford Magistrates Court. He was restricted from accessing matches and was fined £484, plus £85 costs and a £184 surcharge.

Under new legislation, fans who commit Class A drug offences at matches could be banned from games for up to 10 years and also receive a criminal conviction.

Southend were playing Kent-based Sittingbourne FC. Millie had been spotted by staff going backwards and forwards to the toilets before he was stopped and searched.

Essex Police was then called, and the powder was seized and later confirmed as cocaine.

The force's dedicated football officer, Keith Baker, said it was Essex Police's first football banning order.

"Football is known as the 'beautiful game' with people coming week in and week out to support their local team," he said.

"We know that consumption of drugs fuels disorder at football matches and we are committed to kicking that type of behaviour out of the grounds in our county.

"We are committed to ensuring football grounds across Essex are places where you can come and cheer on your team, focusing on the players' performance without worrying about the behaviour of other supporters."

The football ban means Millie cannot attend any premises where games are held in the United Kingdom and abroad that are regulated by the Football Spectators Act 1989.

According to the Crown Prosecution Service, every police force should have one or more dedicated football officers (formerly football intelligence officers).

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