Football Banning Order Made After Prosecution Dropped

Our client was charged with affray, alongside seven other people, arising from football related disorder between opposing supporters at a London rail station.

Our client’s conduct was markedly different to that of the others charged. Four of the seven punched opposing fans and one punched a police officer. In contrast, our client acted to de-escalate two separate incidents involving aggressive fans earlier on, noted by police witnesses on the scene.

We submitted a letter of representations to the prosecution requesting that they review their decision to prosecute the case. We argued, firstly, that there was insufficient evidence that our client was using or threatening unlawful violence and, secondly, that it would not be in the public interest for our client’s conduct to attract a prosecution given his previous good character and his efforts to prevent violence on the day of the incident. 

In response to our representations, the prosecution agreed to offer no evidence.

The case was conducted by David Sonn and Allison Hochhalter.