Prankster banned from football games for five years

Daniel 'Jarvo' Jarvis has been banned from national and international games for five years and must surrender his passport during international tournaments

An online prankster who invaded the pitch during a football match in Dublin has been banned from attending all national and international games for five years.

Daniel Jarvis, 37, from Gravesend in Kent, ran on to the pitch at the start of the match between Ireland and England at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on 7 September.

Mr Jarvis was given the banning order at Medway Magistrates' Court on Wednesday. He must also surrender his passport during international tournaments.

Chief Constable Mark Roberts, National Police Chiefs' Council lead for football policing, said: "Jarvis is clearly an attention seeker who carried out the pitch invasion in order to get some more hits on his social media.

"His actions were not only childish and irresponsible, but also a total waste of police time and taxpayers' money.

"In addition, these stunts divert security staff from their duties and it is difficult to instantly ascertain if someone poses a threat or is just seeking attention.

"I welcome the five-year banning order that has been handed to him, which will hopefully give him some time to grow up and start to act responsibly."

Simon Jones, Crown Prosecution Service Wessex and national football lead, said the banning order showed "the consequences of criminal actions at matches".

"Daniel Jarvis used his notoriety and platform for repeated illegal behaviour," he said.

"The Crown Prosecution Service continues to work closely with policing colleagues to prosecute those who are responsible for criminality in sport."