A Master's student who threw a flare during a Manchester United match, leaving a disabled woman in the crowd needing urgent first aid, has been banned from all football grounds for three years. Amar Raithatha, 26, from Leicester, bought three flares from Amazon and travelled up to Manchester for Leicester City's game against United in April.
He 'concealed' one of them and got into the stadium, later igniting and throwing it during the match. A court heard the blue smoke flare was launched towards a lower tier area of the ground after Leicester scored.
It landed near to the feet of a 69-year-old woman sitting in a section for supporters with disabilities. She was 'engulfed' in blue smoke, the court heard, which caused her eyes to sting, and needed first aid attention. Fortunately she suffered no serious injuries.
Raithatha, of Whetstone, Leicester, pleaded guilty to offences of common assault, possessing a flare at a sporting event and throwing a missile. At Tameside magistrates court on Monday, he was sentenced to a 12 month community order consisting of 80 hours of unpaid work.
Raithatha was also ordered to pay £200 in compensation and £85 costs. The three year football banning order means he must not be within a mile of a football stadium, other than for legitimate reasons, the Crown Prosecution Service said after the case.
Adrian Hollamby, senior crown prosecutor, said after the sentencing hearing: "Amar Raithatha admitted buying three flares on Amazon. He travelled from Leicester to Manchester, concealed a flare on entry to the stadium and during the game he ignited and threw it.
"His reckless actions caused a fan to suffer smoke inhalation. Football-related offences cause harm to law abiding fans, those who work in the grounds and communities around them. They also have a serious impact on the reputation of football at home and abroad.
"The CPS is dedicated to bringing those who commit such offences to justice." The court heard the woman needed water to 'clean' her eyes and was assessed by first aiders.
Laura Atherton, prosecuting, told the court earlier this month, when he admitted the charges, that Raithatha had travelled to Old Trafford to watch the match and was seated 20 rows from the front of the lower tier.
"During the second half, Leicester City scored a goal which put them in the lead," Ms Atherton said. "The defendant had with him a smoke flare. He ignited it and threw it towards the lower tier area and near to the disabled supporters."
The woman, who was also a Leicester City supporter, noticed something had landed in front of her so bent down to see what it was. She then 'quickly noticed' blue smoke emitting from the flare and was 'engulfed' in the smoke which caused pain in her eyes. Raithatha was said to have a Master's degree in pharmacy and was training to be a pharmacist at the time.
Mitigating, Laura Baumanis said her client made full and frank admissions following his arrest. "He is extremely sorry for the victim and has regret and remorse for what happened," she said.
"What happened should have never taken place and the actions could have had serious consequences. Fortunately there were no major injuries." The match ended 1-1.
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