Football fan arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting police officer before Devon derby
By HECAbbott
Monday April 04, 2016
A FOOTBALL fan was arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a female police officer before the Devon derby yesterday, police have revealed.
The 20-year-old from Exeter was bailed pending further enquiries into the incident.
In total 12 football fans, mostly followers of Exeter City, were arrested during City's clash with rivals Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.
Those arrested now face football banning orders preventing them from attending any future games.
But police have said the vast majority of the 8,000 supporters who attended the game were well behaved.
And they said the huge policing operation involving around 150 officers and a mounted police unit was a success.
A spokesman said: "Devon and Cornwall Police arrested 12 people for a variety of offences connected to the Exeter City versus Plymouth Argyle football match this weekend, Saturday, April 2.
"One man has been charged with breaching the public order act, two men received cautions and a further nine men have been bailed pending further enquiries and will be attending Heavitree Station at a later date."
Chief Inspector Richard Hooper-Bennett said: "For a crowd of around 8,000 people, to report than we had just 12 arrests reflects well on the day as this is a very small number.
"It was a large but smooth policing operation; the majority of Plymouth fans came to the match on official club coaches, but there was a large group of Plymouth fans who had pre-match drinks in the Walkabout and these were given an escort to St James Park prior to kick-off.
"A group of away fans were also retained at full-time for a short period to help with crowd dispersal; these fans were then escorted to St David's train station. There are no reported incidents following the full-time whistle.
"Those arrested for football related disorder are now at risk of having football banning orders applied to them in addition to any court disposals.
"I would like to thank the vast majority of fans who behaved impeccably and enjoyed a Devon Derby played in the sunshine."
The details of those arrested are below:
Adam Lawson aged 32, from Widgery Road, Exeter, was charged with breach of the public order act and is due to appear at Exeter Magistrates Court on April 19.
A 20-year-old man from Crediton received a caution for being drunk and disorderly in a public place.
A 21-year-old man from Bristol received a caution under the public order act for using threatening or abusive language.
A 17-year-old male from Callington, Cornwall was arrested for breaching the public order act and was bailed until May 11.
A 19-year-old man from Gunnislake, Cornwall was arrested for breaching the public order act and was bailed until May 11.
A 21-year-old man from Exeter was arrested for breaching the public order act and was bailed until May 20.
A 33-year-old man from Exeter was arrested for racially aggravated harassment and was bailed until May 20.
A 37-year-old man from Exeter was arrested for breaching the public order act and was bailed until May 20.
A 41-year-old man from Exeter was arrested for being drunk and disorderly and was bailed until May 20.
A 28-year-old man from Axminster was arrested for entering a football field and was bailed until May 25.
A 41-year-old man from Ivybridge was arrested for attempting to enter a sports ground whilst drunk and was bailed until May 25.
A 20-year old man from Exeter was arrested for sexually assaulting a female police officer prior to kick-off and has been bailed until April 7 pending further enquiries.
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