Stags fan banned for attempted attack on Cardiff supporters

Liam Mills was spotted on CCTV as he flailed his arms at Cardiff City supporters on Portland Retail Park, following the game on January 16.

Prosecutor Robert Carr said: “He wasn’t arrested and continued to aggravate fans by his presence.”

He said Mills was at the front of a group who were shouting and gesturing at the Cardiff fans near their coaches, and had earlier been pushed away by an officer and told to get back.

Children and elderly members of the public were present at the time, he added.

The court heard how officers were forced to draw their batons and threaten fans following the match which saw Mansfield Town lose 4 - 1.

Sarah Neale, mitigating, said Mills did not seek to oppose a banning order of three years, which had been requested by Mansfield police.

“He is a young man who has been a Stags fan for over ten years,” she said. “It was an FA cup game and by losing the game, they had lost the chance to play against Manchester City.”

She said that “things got the better of him and he got embroiled,” adding that someone had threatened to kill him.

She said the support worker for autistic adults, who has a four year old son, had no previous convictions.

Mills, 25, of Ash Grove, Shirebrook, admitted using threatening or abusive words and behaviour, when he appeared at Mansfield Magistrates Court, on Wednesday,

District judge Jonathan Taaffe said: “It never ceases to amaze me how intelligent people in well-paid employment with stable domestic backgrounds feel that they can behave like animals at football matches.

“It was a high profile match. You were in town before, during, and after the match, looking for trouble - it’s as simple as that.

“You regard it as a legitimate sport. It isn’t. It causes havoc for the people attending the match - some of them with children as young as your son.

“You knew precisely what you were doing. If you had previous convictions I would have had no hesitation in sending you to prison.”

Imposing a three year banning order, judge Taaffe also fined Mills £500, and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £50 government surcharge.