Year-long ban for fan who racially abused steward

Thomas Bennett was in the East Stand during Oxford United's game against Queens Park Rangers

A football fan who racially abused a steward has been banned from attending matches in the UK for 12 months.

Thomas Bennett, 35, was identified by police after the incident in the East Stand at Oxford United's Kassam Stadium during the first half of their Championship game against Queens Park Rangers on 9 April.

Bennett, of Wensum Crescent, Bicester, was sentenced at Oxford Magistrates' Court where he was fined £746 and ordered to pay £100 victim compensation.

He will also have to surrender any travel authorisation documents when England play away fixtures.

Bennett has been prohibited from going within a mile (1.6km) of the Kassam Stadium and is not allowed to enter Oxford city centre six hours prior and four hours after any U's match.

Dedicated football officer PC Alex Locke said: "Our aim is to ensure that stadiums remain safe and welcoming places for fans and families.

"We won't tolerate behaviour that threatens that environment or spoils the matchday experience for others."

Thames Valley Police said Bennett had been interviewed voluntarily, so no custody photo was provided.