A MAN from Hartley Wintney has been banned by a court from supporting Reading Football Club at their matches for the next three years after he threw a flare onto the pitch during an away game.

On January 29, during a fixture between Reading FC and Queens Park Rangers FC at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium in London, William Breau threw a flare towards the playing area.

The 19-year-old, of St Johns Road, Hartley Wintney was charged with throwing of a missile, and also with possession of a flare at a sporting event.

He pleaded guilty to the offences on February 16, and appeared for sentencing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on May 31, where he was handed a football banning order.

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The order requires him not to go within two miles of any regulated football match involving Reading Football Club played at Madejski Stadium in Reading - or any future ground registered as the home of Reading Football Club - for the four hours preceding the advertised kick-off time and until four hours after the conclusion of the match.

In addition, Breau is not to go within four miles of any stadium where Reading FC are playing an away game for a period four hours before and six hours after the scheduled kick off time, and also cannot go within two miles of any regulated football match involving the England national team played in the United Kingdom during a period of four hours prior to the advertised kick-off time and until four hours after the conclusion of the match.

The banning order will remain in place for three years. He must also pay a £34 surcharge.

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