Soccer lout banned for three years after assaulting woman at Port of Dover on the way to Euro 2016
00:00, 11 July 2016
updated: 10:50, 11 July 2016
A fan prevented from attending Euro 2016 after assaulting a woman has received a three-year football banning order.
Welshman Neil Evans was stopped at the Port of Dover last Tuesday following an argument on board a coach due to cross the Channel to France.
It was the day before Wales played Portugal in a semi-final at Lyon.
He admitted assaulting a woman, who was not seriously injured, and received a caution for the offence.
The victim and offender were known to each other.
Police said they believed that Evans posed a serious risk of causing trouble at Euro 2016 if allowed to travel, and applied for a football banning order .
This was approved by Folkestone magistrates last week.
Evans will therefore not be able to attend any regulated matches either in the UK or abroad for the next three years, and risks being re-arrested should he breach the order.
Evans, 43, is from Powell’s Terrace, Tredegar, Gwent.
Chief Superintendent Julia Chapman of Kent Police said: "Officers were based at Kent ports throughout the entirety of the tournament to ensure anyone who posed a risk of disrupting it was not allowed to travel.
"They met thousands of supporters over the past month and I was delighted with their efforts in supporting not only the UK policing operation but also the efforts of the French police in ensuring Euro 2016 is remembered for all the right reasons.
“I hope this sends a clear message to all football supporters that criminal acts will not be tolerated and that you risk being banned from attending matches if you are unable to behave in a responsible manner.”
The month-long Euro 2016 in France ended last night with Portugal becoming the new champions, beating France 1-0.
Wales had also lost to Portugal 2-0 in the semi-final.
Details of the defendant were confirmed by East Kent Magistrates Courts.
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