Football hooligan shown red card

A Hartlepool United supporter has been banned from attending football matches after being involved in repeated episodes of football related disorder.

Mark Sleeman, of Redstar Close, Hartlepool, was handed a three year football banning order at Hartlepool Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

The British Transport Police (BTP) produced a dossier of complaints against him which spanned 11 years.

The order was issued on complaint, similar to an application for an ASBO.

Threatening rival fans... is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated

British Transport Police

Sleeman is considered by police to be a "risk" supporter who has been involved in inciting football related violence on numerous occasions between 1998 and 2009.

Under the terms of the ban he must not enter any premises where football is being played in England and Wales.

He is also barred, within a five-mile radius, from any stadium Hartlepool United away fixtures are being played at, and from travelling on the rail network and the London Underground when Hartlepool or England are playing.

He will also be required to surrender his passport when Hartlepool United or England are involved in matches abroad.

Pc Will Marshall, of the BTP's Football Banning Order Unit, said: "Threatening rival fans and intimidating members of the public, whether inside or outside the ground, or on public transport whilst travelling to a game, is totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated by police.

"Those who think they can behave in such a way, and ruin people's days out in the process, should know that we will seek banning orders.

"Such behaviour is not welcome on the railways or at football matches."