An abusive Chesterfield FC supporter referred to one police officer as "big" by his size but insisted it was "all good banter and humour", a court heard. Neil Garbutt had travelled to Nottingham last-minute when a seat became available in a minibus for an away game against Notts County on August 20.
The Magpies came from two goals down to draw with Paul Cook's side in the National League - but Garbutt did not even make it to the game as he was kicked out of the city.
Garbutt, 45, of High Street, Staveley, Derbyshire, had a pre-match drink at Meadow Lane's Trent Navigation on August 20. "He was using abusive language," said prosecutor Sanjay Jareth at Nottingham Magistrates' Court.
"He went a different way. He was abusive towards officers". Police handed Garbutt a section 35 notice, ordering him to leave the area.
READ MORE: Five things we learned from Notts County's draw with Chesterfield
He ended up in court for failing to comply with the police direction to leave the vicinity. But Garbutt was stranded in Nottingham due to the rail strike, until he met up again with his friends from the minibus.
After pleading guilty, Nick Walsh, mitigating, said on Tuesday (September 27) his client is "both embarrassed and ashamed to be here today". A warehouse worker, Garbutt came to Nottingham at the last-minute on the day of the offence and had nothing to drink beforehand.
He visited the Trent Navigation and was outside there causing no difficulties. There was an "exchange of banter with police officers," added Mr Walsh. "During this he fell on the floor.
"It was all very good humoured. One of the officers heard him refer another officer as 'big' by his size, but Mr Garbutt had said it was 'all good banter and humour'".
Then Garbutt had a difference of opinion with other officers on which route he should take to the Ground. He ended up being taken by police to the train station but there was a train strike.
He could not afford a taxi fare home of £90 and he had not idea where the bus station was. He arranged to meet up with those on the mini bus but he was seen by officers. Garbutt, who refused to comment after the hearing, was fined £143, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £57 and £85 costs.
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