Phantom Footballer Fined

A MAN has been fined and had three months added to an existing suspended sentence after pretending to be a ghost in a cemetery in Portsmouth, England.

Anthony Stallard, aged 24, admitted to a charge of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause distress at Portsmouth magistrates court.

Stallard, who had been drinking with friends, entered Kingston cemetery where he began to play football. He was later seen by witnesses engaging in rowdy behaviour, including throwing his arms about and shouting ‘wooooo’ in front of mourners.

The prosecutor told the court: “While the football was going on, this defendant was effectively singing loudly and being disrespectful in among the graves.

“He was throwing himself backwards, waving his arms about and going ‘woooooooh’.

“I’m assuming he was pretending to be a ghost.”

The defendant admitted that his behaviour was inappropriate within the confines of the cemetery, where he was likely to cause offence and upset to any grievers present.

Stallard was fined £35 (€44), and ordered to pay an additional £20 (€25) in costs, whilst the victim is to receive £20 in compensation.

The hapless spirit was found to be in breach of an existing charge, and has had a suspended sentence of 12 months extended to 15.

A further charge of causing criminal damage to gravestones was dropped when witnesses failed to present themselves at court.