<\/h3>\n
A Manchester City fan got himself into bother when he tried to play a practical joke on a police officer after his team\u2019s latest victory against Sunderland AFC.<\/p>\n
Martyn Blair, who had never been in trouble with the law before, had just watched the away side beat the Black Cats two-nil at the Stadium of Light on March 5, Sunderland magistrates heard.<\/p>\n
\nPerhaps for a laugh, he raises his hand and flicks the top of his fingers in the officer\u2019s face<\/h2>\n
Jason Smith, defending<\/cite>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n
The 29-year-old was \u201ceuphoric\u201d when left the ground after the game, the court was told.<\/p>\n
However, his elation got him into trouble, when a practical joke he played on a police officer backfired, and he found himself arrested for assaulting him.<\/p>\n
Prosecutor Sarah Traynor said a police officer on duty came across Blair walking near the former Vaux Brewery site after the game had finished.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cHe extended his right arm towards the officer\u2019s chest as if he was pointing at something.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen the officer looked down he then moved it upwards and it connected with his mouth and nose.\u201d<\/p>\n
The court heard Blair then told the officer: \u201cI thought you would find it funny.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Traynor said: \u201cHe was taken to the Stadium of Light custody suite.\u201d<\/p>\n
In interview he told police: \u201cI thought it would be a laugh, just playful.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t remember if I touched him \u2013 I\u2019d had about five pints. I don\u2019t think I was drunk.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was just having a bit of banter with the officer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair, of Brantwood Avenue, Carlisle, pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer.<\/p>\n
The court heard he has no previous convictions or warnings.<\/p>\n
Brian Chapman, defending, said: \u201cThe law is a very serious matter and sometimes a trivial matter can be brought to court.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn this case he is walking away from the Man City game, his team has won.<\/p>\n
\u201cPerhaps for a laugh, he raises his hand and flicks the top of his fingers in the officer\u2019s face.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a stupid practical joke that has gone wrong.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a man of previous good character, who\u2019s had to go across the country to come here today.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe accepts he\u2019s done wrong, in hindsight, in the euphoria of winning the match.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Chapman said he opposed the crown\u2019s application to make a football banning order in respect of Blair, who works for a window manufacturer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think any organisation would consider a football banning order for a practical joke.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe Franco\u2019s Spain would have done, but not this court.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blair was fined \u00a375 with a \u00a330 surcharge to fund victim services.<\/p>\n
Bench chairman John Lee said: \u201cWhen there are 40-odd thousand people around the police have a great deal of tension to deal with.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is not a good idea to go around playing tricks on them. Don\u2019t do it to a police officer outside a football match.\u201d<\/p>\n
Magistrates decided not to make a football banning order, after Blair had been subject to bail conditions, prohibiting him from going within a one-mile radius of Etihad Stadium in Manchester, during matches. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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