MAGISTRATES fined a man who was stopped outside the County Ground in Swindon and told police he forgot he was banned from being there on match days.

Alan Livingstone, 43, of Helston Road, Park North, was handed a football spectator banning order on December 3 last year, preventing him from being close to the ground three hours before kick-off and two hours after the end of the match.

Police saw him outside the ground on August 27 when Swindon was at home to Bristol Rovers, said prosecutor Keith Ballinger.

Later he told them he had not been to a game in years and although he was aware of the order he did not remember a condition about being near the ground.

He said he had been to a friend’s for a drink and had taken the most direct route home, which took him into the area.

Livingstone admitted failing to comply with the order and was fined £50 with a £30 victim surcharge.