Man in court charged with punching Stevenage's Scott Laird

26 January 2011 15:36
[LNB]See you in court: Robert Fitzgerald, arrives at Stevenage Magistrates' with his girlfriend Jade Coles[LNB]A football fan ran on to a pitch and punched a player because he had previously had a relationship with his girlfriend and had 'not treated her correctly', a court has been told. [LNB]Robert Fitzgerald, 24, admitted invading the pitch after Stevenage's 3-1 win against Newcastle in the FA Cup on January 8. [LNB]He also admitted punching Stevenage defender Scott Laird as crowds of fans celebrated the win on the pitch. [LNB]The altercation was captured by TV cameras and a clip was shown at Stevenage Magistrates' Court this morning.[LNB] Phillip Mansefield, prosecuting, said Fitzgerald had been seen hurling abuse as well as throwing a drink and a hamburger at Laird during the game. [LNB]He said: 'When Scott Laird came near to him or that side of the pitch, the steward has seen him throwing water and spitting at Scott Laird. [LNB]He continued: 'The defendant is seen to throw a burger he had been eating again in the direction of Scott Laird. [LNB] Taking one for the team: Fitzgerald is set to appear in court for allegedly punching Laird (right) [LNB]'Stevenage win 3-1. The crowd are on the pitch. What the crown sayis the defendant, one of that number on the pitch, has then assaultedthe victim Scott Laird. [LNB]'The punch is landed with quitesome force. Mr Laird falls to the floor. He has no recollection of howhe got back to the changing room.'[LNB]The girlfriend: Jade Coles had previously been in a relationship with Laird [LNB] He told the court Mr Lairdhad a bump on his left jaw after the blow. Mr Mansefield asked themagistrates to issue a banning order on Fitzgerald attending footballmatches. [LNB]The court heard Fitzgerald, a Stevenage fan, threwthe punch 'out of loyalty' to his girlfriend Jade Coles, who hadpreviously been in a relationship with Mr Laird.[LNB] JenniferBrowne, defending, said: 'Mr Fitzgerald goes onto the pitch, hecongratulates other players. He sees the injured party and he throws apunch. Why? Because the injured party had had a relationship with MrFitzgerald's current girlfriend. [LNB]'This was some time agobut my instructions are that the injured party did not treat thecurrent girlfriend, Mr Fitzgerald's girlfriend, correctly. [LNB]'MrFitzgerald takes matters into his own hands and it was seizing theopportunity. It wasn't premeditated to go on to the football pitch.'[LNB]Miss Browne added Fitzgerald later handed himself in, telling police hewas 'feeling like a bit of a prat in front of all those people'. [LNB]Heshowed 'deep remorse and deep regret' and wished it had not happened,she added. "Mr Fitzgerald actually is a loyal fan of Stevenage sotherefore, there's an embarrassment that he has actually punched a goodplayer for the team," she said. [LNB]Magistrates adjourned sentencing for reports but said the offences had crossed the custody threshold. [LNB]GrantingFitzgerald conditional bail, magistrates' chairman Kevin Seymour said:'Before we sentence you we need to have a report from the probationservice, which will give us more information about you. [LNB]'We are going to ask the probation service to consider all options. The custody threshold has been crossed by this offence.'[LNB]Fitzgerald was granted bail on the condition he does not contact MrLaird or anyone connected with the club, and does not attend designatedfootball matches, including Stevenage Football Club and StevenageAcademy. He will be sentenced on February 17. [LNB]  Fan lands police charge after punching Stevenage cup hero on the pitchStevenage star was attacked on pitch by love rival 'defending' ex-girlfriendFan faces 10-year ban after allegedly punching Stevenage defender Laird Stevenage 3 Newcastle 1: There can't have been a Winn like it! Explore more:Places: Newcastle

Source: Daily_Mail