Fan banned from England games fined for not handing in passport

Thomas Dee's grandfather told magistrates it had been his mistake not to hand in the passport - a requirement of his grandson's football order - but magistrates still fined Dee telling him it had ultimately been his responsibility. 

On the morning of his trial the 23-year-old, of Ellison Close, Evesham, changed his plea admitting not complying with the order, made under section 15 of the Football Spectators Act 1989 - originally imposed upon Dee on September 3, 2019.

FINED: Thomas Dee admitted failing to comply with his football banning order (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

One of the conditions had been Dee had to surrender travel documents including his passport at Worcester Police Station ahead of England games. 

But the court heard Dee did not hand in his passport on May 3 last year, ahead of the Hungary v England international played on June 4. 

Andrew Mitchinson said Dee had a number of previous convictions including for assaulting an emergency worker - which led to him receiving the order - and for another breach of the banning order in March last year.

Mr Mitchson added the order expired last September. 

MATCH: England played Hungary at the Puskas Arena

Dee, who represented himself, told magistrates he thought the passport was already with police when the match had been played, adding his grandfather had been in control of it. 

After magistrates allowed his grandfather to speak, he told the court: "I know he is a responsible adult, but I was handling the passport ever since the ban.

READ MORE: Football fan banned from England games TWICE fails to hand in passport

READ MORE: See who has been in the dock at Worcester Magistrates Court

"I failed to give the passport in, I completely forgot about it. 

"He doesn't drive, he wasn't working (at the time).

"He could not afford the train fare (to get to Worcester Police Station)."

'Handing passport is not your grandad's responsibility' magistrates tell Thomas Dee

After 15 minutes of deliberation chairman of the magistrates bench, Carey Leonard said: "It is good of your grandfather to help you, but at the end of the day it is your responsibility."

Dee was fined £315 and told to pay costs of £400 and £34 victim surcharge. 

It was ordered the £749 full amount be paid at a rate of £50 per month. 

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The chairman added Dee should contact the fines department because bailiffs were chasing up the money Dee already owes the court from past offending. 

Dee was one of more than 1,300 people subject to football banning orders in recent years. 

England lost the Nations League group match away in Hungary 1-0 after conceding a penalty. 

Dee's case was heard at the court on Monday, (February 20).