Blue Santa assaults policeman

AN EVERTON fan wearing a blue Santa suit assaulted a police officer in a disagreement about a glove.



Connor Lloyd said he lashed out at a police officer because he had lost his glove during a crowd surge and the officer had refused to give it back.



He has now been banned from attending any regulated football game for three years after he pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer.



Lloyd, a second year student at Liverpool University is originally from Crud y Castell in Denbigh.



He was one of the away fans visiting the Liberty Stadium during the match with Everton on December 22.



During that match, PC Rhys Evans said he was stood near the segregation barrier and there had been “banter” between both sets of fans but no signs there would be any trouble.



During the second half, when Everton took the lead, their fans surged forward to celebrate with player Ross Barkley. Around 10 fans tried to make their way past officers towards the Swansea fans, prosecutor Linda Baker told Swansea Magistrates’ Court.



Lloyd then began to push past the officer, who tried to hold him back.



PC Evans told him to go back into his seat, she added.



But there was then a second surge of fans and Lloyd again went towards the officer but this time kicked him to his knee causing him pain.



He was then arrested and taken out of the stadium.



In his interview, Lloyd, aged 20, said he had not been in his seat when the goal had gone in, but was by the refreshment stand eating.



He said after hearing the crowd he made his way back up to his fellow fans and ended up at the front of the crowd.



During this, he said his glove came off and ended up behind the police officer. He said he asked for it to be handed to him but was pushed away twice. He said he then became frustrated and kicked out at the officer.



Lloyd had no previous convictions.



Huw Davies, for Lloyd, said his client was not one of those who surged forward and his behaviour was not responsible for the second surge by fans.



“If there was a surge, it was nothing to do with this defendant.



“The incident he was involved in did not cause any subsequent disorder,” said Mr Davies.



“He has been a Everton supporter since he was a young boy. He regularly attends matches with his siblings and father. It would be something of an overkill to impose a banning order for three years or greater,” added Mr Davies.



Magistrates fined him £110, told him to pay £85 in costs and a £20 victim surcharge.







Source:Welsheveningpost