Man sentenced after entering pitch before rugby match at Hill Dickinson stadium

A man has been handed a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order after entering the pitch ahead of an international rugby league match in Liverpool last year.

Daniel Jarvis, 37, of Gravesend, Kent was detained at Hill Dickinson Stadium at around 2.30pm on Saturday 1 November after entering the pitch before the start of the England v Australia Rugby League match. 

He was arrested and later charged with obstructing/disrupting a person engaged in a lawful activity.

Jarvis appeared at South Sefton Magistrates' Court on Tuesday 21 April where he was issued with a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO); given a 10-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months; and ordered to complete 110 hours unpaid work and a 10-day rehabilitation order. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £150 and £500 costs.

The terms of the CBO prohibits means the defendant must not:

1. Disrupt any sporting event within England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

2. Enter any playing pitch, playing/competitive area, racetrack, racecourse, or other sporting area to which spectators or general members of the public are not permitted access within England, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Jarvis must: Within the perimeter of any sporting venue within England, Wales or Northern Ireland, including but not limited to stadiums, arenas, racetracks/circuits, courses, requiring a valid ticket as a condition of entry, produce your physical or digital ticket/ticket confirmation for inspection by a police officer upon demand.

Failure to comply with the terms of the order is a criminal offence and could lead to up to five years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both.

In November, Jarvis was subject to a Football Banning Order after an incident in Dublin and was banned from attending all domestic and international football matches for five years. He was also ordered to surrender his passport during international tournaments.

Inspector Stuart McLoughlin said: “Jarvis – a 37-year-old man - thought it would be funny to run onto the pitch in an Australia kit. But his immature attention-seeking has real life consequences beyond a few extra hits on social media.

“It is impossible in the early moments of such an incident to ascertain if the person entering the pitch poses a genuine threat, and stunts like this can cause concern for sportspeople and young mascots as well as diverting security staff from performing their core role of keeping people in the stadium safe.

“The detention of Jarvis and subsequent investigation also occupied a lot of police time and a substantial amount of taxpayers money. But we are determined to ensure that such actions are not tolerated, and will take robust action should anyone attempt a similar stunt in future.

“I hope today’s sentencing and the extensive requirements it imposes on Jarvis encourages him to reflect on the childishness of his actions and that he acts more responsibly in future.”

Dave Lewis, Head of Security and Stadium Safety Officer, said: "Everton Football Club welcomes the outcome of this case and the action taken following the incident in November.

"Entering the field of play without authorisation is a serious offence. It places players, officials, staff and fellow spectators at risk, and will not be tolerated under any circumstances. The Club operates a zero-tolerance approach to anyone seeking unauthorised access to the pitch on match or event days and will continue to work closely with the relevant authorities to ensure those responsible are identified and held to account.

"The Club has worked with the authorities and partners involved in the fixture to review the circumstances and ensure appropriate enhancements to security and stewarding have been implemented. The safety and wellbeing of everyone attending Hill Dickinson Stadium remains our absolute priority."