Ban for Manchester United football fan who tried to enter Swansea match with smoke bomb down trousers

A football fan has been banned from seeing his team play for three years after attempting to smuggle a smoke bomb into Swansea's Liberty Stadium.

Manchester United fan James Finnegan, 27, was stopped by police who had spotted a "long bulge" down his trouser leg as his favourite team faced Swansea City.

He was found to have a Smoke Mountain Red firework hidden down his trousers - and arrested.

Craig Harding, defending, said Finnegan had been "stupid" to try and sneak the smoke bomb in to Swansea's Liberty Stadium.

Mr Harding said: "He is a genuine supporter who travels the length and breadth of the country to support his team, when work and finances allow."

Finnegan, of Harpurhey, Manchester, appeared at Swansea Magistrates' Court, where he pleaded guilty to possessing a firework while trying to enter a designated sports ground.

The crane operator was fined £785 and banned from going to any Manchester United match for three years, or to any town where they are playing.