Men sentenced for football-related offences

Two men have been sentenced for football-related offences in High Wycombe.

Robbie Moret, aged 36, of Botley Drive, Havant, Hampshire, was today (20/12) given a four-year football banning order in a hearing at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court.

Moret pleaded guilty to one count each of possession of a controlled drug of class A, namely cocaine, and racially aggravated public order in a hearing at the same court on 25 October.

Moret was also ordered to do 120 hours of unpaid work, undergo 120 days of alcohol abstinence monitoring requirement, pay £250 compensation, £85 court costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

Matthew Benneyworth, aged 64, of Nutwick Road, Havant, Hampshire, was given a three-year football banning order today in the same hearing. He pleaded guilty to three counts of assault by beating on 25 October at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court.

Benneyworth was also sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, suspended for a year and six months, must undergo 260 hours of unpaid work, pay compensation to three victims totalling £600, pay £85 court costs and a £154 victim surcharge.

The sentences relates to incidents at a match between Wycombe Wanderers and Portsmouth at Adams Park on 29 March this year.

Moret and Benneyworth were away fans sitting in the hospitality area and were both loudly supporting Portsmouth Football Club, so Wycombe Wanderers staff asked them to relocate to the away end.

Moret and Benneyworth have refused to move, before Benneyworth assaulted three stewards whilst being ejected.

Moret was also ejected and was later found in possession of cocaine before he racially abused a police officer.

Both were charged by postal requisition on 26 September this year.

Dedicated football officer PC Jon Evans said:  “I welcome the court’s sentencing and imposing of Football Banning Orders on Benneyworth and Moret.

“Benneyworth assaulted three members of Wycombe Wanderers’ security staff who were there to make sure the match was a safe event for all. They should not be expected to be assaulted in the course of their duties.

“Moret racially abused one of our officers after being arrested. Racism is still sadly an issue at some football matches.

“We will never tolerate hate crime in the Thames Valley, and these sentences demonstrates that police will deal robustly with those who offences at football matches.

“The Football Banning Orders will prevent Benneyworth and Moret attending any regulated football matches in the country, travel to the away town or city where Portsmouth or England are playing and they will have to surrender their passport at a police station when England play away”.