Footie fan fined for being drunk

A FOOTBALL supporter who was refused entry into Portman Road, Ipswich, said he had been turning up drunk to matches for 20 years without a problem.Dean Peachment was told he could not enter the stadium to watch the Ipswich Town versus Blackpool game on February 16 because he was drunk.

A FOOTBALL supporter who was refused entry into Portman Road, Ipswich, said he had been turning up drunk to matches for 20 years without a problem.

Dean Peachment was told he could not enter the stadium to watch the Ipswich Town versus Blackpool game on February 16 because he was drunk.

The 38-year-old, of Abbotsbury Road, Ipswich, told officers he had drunk about six pints of beer.

He said: “I have drunk before and got in ok to a football match.”

Peachment pleaded guilty at South East Suffolk Magistrate's Court to trying to enter a football ground while drunk.

Lesla Small prosecuting, said although Peachment had previous convictions a football banning order was not being requested. Peachment told magistrates: “I treated the game like I have every other over the last 15 to 20 years. I spent time in the pub watching games, drinking and chatting with friends. I had five to six pints over two and a half hours. I guess I'll learn by my mistake. Where do you draw the line? Four pints? Three pints?”

The court clerk suggested that no alcohol would be best before attending a match.

Magistrates fined Peachment £100 and told him to pay £80 costs.