Pools fan given three year ban from Hartlepool United's Victoria Park after running onto pitch during Exeter City match

Jack Hanley will be unable to attend a match at the home of Hartlepool United for three years after appearing at Teesside Magistrates’ Court.

The 21-year-old, from the town’s Breward Walk ran out onto the pitch at Victoria Park on December 12 last year during Pools’ game against Exeter City.

Last month Hanley pleaded guilty to the offence of going onto the pitch without a lawful excuse and making his way to where the away fans were.

He appeared back before the court this week for the judge to consider making a football banning order.

The court heard that Hanley, who was not represented in court, had been given a six-month conditional discharge for the original offence and he said he did not oppose the ban.

Judge Timothy Capstick said Hanley had run onto the pitch to where the away fans where.

Judge Capstick said the young Hartlepool man’s case is not the usual sort of football banning order application brought before the court.

He said: “It seems to me this case is different to other ones sometimes brought by the police, where it is a known football hooligan.”

He said Hanley is a young man with no previous convictions.

Judge Capstick said: “I am prepared to accept you had had a bit to drink and things got the better of you on this particular occasion.

“I accept it was out of character.”

But, he added that running on the pitch towards the away fans can aggravate situations and lead to trouble.

Football banning orders can prevent those issued with them from going to different cities where their team or England are playing, including abroad.

Judge Capstick said: “It seems to me that that is not reasonable or proportionate in this case.”

Hanley was banned from Hartlepool United matches at Victoria Park for three years and the court heard that after two years he can apply to have this ban lifted.