Football ban for man who threw glass at officer

The attack took place outside Liverpool's Anfield Stadium

A man has been issued a five-year football banning order after throwing a glass bottle at a police officer’s face.

Ben O’Meara, 25, from Prescot, appeared at South Sefton Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer, Merseyside Police said.

The court heard O’Meara was walking along with a group of Everton supporters outside Liverpool's Anfield Stadium before the Merseyside derby on 21 October last year when he threw a glass bottle, hitting a police officer in the face.

Ch Insp Iain Wyke said: "The police officer suffered a deep cut to his upper lip and was shaken by the incident."

"This type of behaviour has no place in football and I hope this sends a clear message and acts as a deterrent to others."

O’Meara was charged in November after being identified in CCTV footage, with a number of other people also being arrested after the match on suspicion of various offences, including hate and tragedy chanting, and ticket touting.

As well as the banning order, police said O’Meara was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months.

He was also ordered to do 20 days of rehabilitation and 200 hours of unpaid work and to pay £500 in compensation.