No charge over football stunt

Simon Brodkin has escaped prosecution after he managed to join Manchester City in their pre-match warm-up last month..

The creator of Lee Nelson was given a six-month conditional caution at North Liverpool community justice centre today.

He had been charged with trespassing on to the playing area of Everton’s Goodison Park stadium, contrary to the Football Offences Act, but the prosecutor suggested an ‘alternative course to prosecution’ and judge Ian Lomax, agreed.

Defence lawyer Raymond Shaw apologised on behalf of 35-year-old Brodkin, saying the comic had expressed remorse over the stunt.

Shaw said: ‘It was intended to be a humorous act and intended to be funny. It is clear from the television footage that some of the players were amused but he didn't know it was a criminal offence.’

Outside the court, Brodkin spoke to reporters as his alter-ego Jason Bent – the professional footballer character he had adopted for the March 16 stunt.

Accompanied by the glamorous ‘Crystal’, he said he wanted to thank her for ‘being there for me every step of the way, ever since we met in the hotel last night’.

Published: 3 Apr 2013