A MAN pretended to be somebody else to police so he could go to watch a football match while under a banning order.

John Paul Cairns was sentenced at Glasgow Sheriff Court after police asked for his name while he was at the game between Rangers and Greenock Morton last year.

The court heard that officers had reason to approach the 19-year-old who was in the stands watching the game.

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The officers asked who he was but Cairns gave a false name.

However, he was formally identified after a finger print analysis was sent back to the police. 

Cairns admitted breaking a bail condition having been previously banned by the courts to attend any regulated football match in Scotland – including international games.

Furthermore he admitted that on March 11 he pretended to be someone else by giving another name to police officers to avoid detection and prosecution for breaking his bail condition. 

His defending solicitor said that Cairns had been “very foolish” and “immature” in attempting to watch the game.

The solicitor added: “He realises that court orders are very important and that has not been lost on him.

“He accepts full responsibility. He was very silly.”

A 12-month period of supervision was imposed on Cairns as a direct alternative to custody