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Fan fined for taking free-kick during West Ham-Spurs clash | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A football fan who ran on to the pitch and took a free-kick during a Premier League game "bent it like Beckham", a judge has told a court. | |
Jordan Dunn, 22, of Dover, admitted invading the pitch during the West Ham-Tottenham Hotspur derby last month. | |
Fining Dunn £305 for his drunken "moment of madness", District Judge Gareth Branston said: "Regrettably it was about 30mph slower than Beckham." | |
Dunn told police it was his dream to "run on the pitch and kick the ball". | |
He apologised in court for invading the pitch. | |
'Small mercy' | |
Dunn, who has been a West Ham fan since he was a boy, denied being a hooligan or thug. | |
Passing sentence at Thames Magistrates' Court in east London, District Judge Gareth Branston said: "You had consumed alcohol and your stride pattern was a bit out of kilter, but to borrow a phrase you did bend it like Beckham. | |
The judge said the effort was "easily" saved by the West Ham goalkeeper, but referred to Christian Eriksen's subsequent free kick from the same spot, saying: "I understand that the professional footballer who followed you did not do any better." | |
He also said it was a "small mercy" that Dunn had "decided to remain fully clothed". | |
The judge decided not to impose a football banning order called for by the prosecution, saying he was taking into account Dunn's previous good character, | |
Dunn admitted a charge under Section 4 of the Football Offences Act 1991, which says it is an offence to go on to the playing area without lawful authority or excuse. |