Toby Yates handed three-year ban after cocaine found at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light | OneFootball

Toby Yates, 22, has been banned from football for three years after a sniffer dog detected cocaine in his wallet as he tried to enter Sunderland’s Stadium of Light before a Premier League match against Chelsea.

According to Sunderland Echo, security stopped him 45 minutes before the 4pm kick-off on Sunday, May 24, and a search found a bag of white powder at the turnstiles.

At South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, the Londoner, of Camden Road, Camden, London, pleaded guilty to drug possession, his first conviction. He did not oppose prosecutor Mariam Odetoro’s application for a Football Banning Order under section 1 of the Football Spectators Act, and he is barred from any regulated match in the UK until 2029.

Magistrates said strong mitigation from his solicitor persuaded them to step outside guidelines and impose a six-month conditional discharge. They added that a banning order was a legal requirement, and there were no unjust grounds to avoid it.

Defence solicitor Hannah Mostoufi said Yates had excelled at university, bought the drug as a one-off to celebrate finishing his course in May, and had forgotten it was in his wallet. She said he caused no disturbance, was remorseful and feared the impact on his career.

They chose not to fine or jail him, up to 51 weeks, so as not to hinder his career. He must pay £85 in costs and a £26 victim surcharge. It was not disclosed in court which team he supports.

Source: Sunderland Echo

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