Court details emerge on arrested streaker at National League match

Court details emerge on one particular fan who became a streaker then arrested during a National League match, which was televised live.

A supporter decided to run onto the pitch and done cartwheels during the fixture between Weymouth and Halifax a month ago.

The moment, which had fans on social media laughing, came around the 70th minute mark of what ended up being a 5-1 win for the Shaymen.

It was a much needed win for Pete Wild’s Halifax, who went up to 15th in the National League table, whereas Weymouth were 21st.

Who’s this at Weymouth then 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/eutjjJaD2x

— #BLACKLIVESMATTER‏ (@heyit5sam) December 5, 2020

The streaker, named Aaron Gould, had downed ‘eight or nine beers’ with his mates before he interrupted the match, back when a limited amount of fans are allowed through the turnstiles and in grounds up and down the nation.

In the second half, the shirtless male jumped over a barrier at the side of the pitch and ran onto the playing area with the game still in play.

He performed a cartwheel on the pitch and caused the match to be temporarily halted by the referee, before being intercepted by stewards and later arrested by police.

The game was being broadcast live on BT Sport and Gould, who recently applied to join the Royal Navy, has been told he ‘made a fool out of himself on TV.’

Appearing at Weymouth Magistrates Court in Dorset, he pleaded guilty to going onto the pitch at the non league match and is now let regretting what he did that night.

Andrew Newman, prosecuting, said: “It was the first match after lockdown and the match was broadcast on national television, namely on BT Sport.

“At 6.50pm in the evening, officers saw a male enter the pitch. He removed his top and ran around topless on the pitch. He left the pitch and was detained by security staff.

“He identified himself as Aaron Gould and he was arrested for going onto the pitch.”

Gould, appearing at court unrepresented, told magistrates the incident was a ‘spur of the moment thing’.

He said: “We had come out of lockdown and I had not seen my friends for a while and it was simply a foolish mistake.

“I had too many drinks and it was a spur of the moment thing and I didn’t realise the consequences.

“I apologise to the football club and everyone on the day. I don’t want to jeopardise my future and I am looking to join the Navy.

“It was a foolish mistake at the time. I was with my friends and I was intoxicated, and I thought it would be funny but it wasn’t.”

Magistrates issued the streaker with a three-year football banning order and handed him a 12-month conditional discharge.

He must also pay a victim surcharge worth a total of £22 and costs of £85.

Sentencing him, the chairman of the bench said: “You said so yourself that this was a stupid act that you carried out and obviously influenced by having too much alcohol.

“It is really compounded by the fact that so many people in this country have been looking forward to going to football matches and you in some respect were privileged to go along to that match.

“You abused what many people regard as a privilege.

“On top of that, not only did you make a fool of yourself, you made a fool out of yourself on national TV.”

Fans reacted as court details emerge on the arrested streaker at the National League match…

@DorPolFootball: A 21yr old Dorchester man has been issued with a 3yr Football Banning Order for going onto the pitch at a Weymouth FC match – he was detained after running onto the pitch at Weymouth’s game against Halifax Town on Saturday 5th December 2020 and subsequently charged @theterras

@ShaggerSean: Love to see it!

@flumpety: Good he spoiled the Game

@liamotton: Piss poor. But I’d expect nothing less. The officers on the day were dreadful and have been all season. Having been discriminated against by two of your officers nothing surprises me.

@18ninety: Should of got life beyond rehabilitation

@sunnydls: What a hero

@jameshicks94: Guessing his defence was as good as the teams that day

@ForeverAYellow: Could tell he was drunk lol, though fair play for achieving a cartwheel whilst being so tipsy, couldn’t stop laughing when he ran on