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BBC comedian cautioned over football stunt BBC comedian cautioned over football stunt
(6 months later)
A comedian who tricked security at a Premier League football match and mingled with players has escaped prosecution.A comedian who tricked security at a Premier League football match and mingled with players has escaped prosecution.
Simon Brodkin, 35, was given a conditional caution at North Liverpool community justice centre after the stunt before Manchester City's away game against Everton at Goodison Park on 16 March.Simon Brodkin, 35, was given a conditional caution at North Liverpool community justice centre after the stunt before Manchester City's away game against Everton at Goodison Park on 16 March.
Brodkin, from north London, disguised himself as one of his comedy characters, the fictitious footballer Jason Bent, with blond highlights, shark-fin haircut and stubble to blend in with the likes of Joe Hart and Gareth Barry before kickoff.Brodkin, from north London, disguised himself as one of his comedy characters, the fictitious footballer Jason Bent, with blond highlights, shark-fin haircut and stubble to blend in with the likes of Joe Hart and Gareth Barry before kickoff.
The qualified doctor, who has a sketch show on BBC3, was charged with trespassing on to the playing area, contrary to the Football Offences Act. But at his court appearance on Wednesday, Julian Peers, prosecuting, asked the district judge to take an "alternative course to prosecution".The qualified doctor, who has a sketch show on BBC3, was charged with trespassing on to the playing area, contrary to the Football Offences Act. But at his court appearance on Wednesday, Julian Peers, prosecuting, asked the district judge to take an "alternative course to prosecution".
The judge, Ian Lomax, agreed to the charge being withdrawn and Brodkin was issued with a six-month conditional caution.The judge, Ian Lomax, agreed to the charge being withdrawn and Brodkin was issued with a six-month conditional caution.
Raymond Shaw, defending, told the court Brodkin wanted to apologise for the inconvenience he caused. "It was intended to be a humorous act and intended to be funny," he said. "It is clear from the television footage that some of the players were amused but he didn't know it was a criminal offence.Raymond Shaw, defending, told the court Brodkin wanted to apologise for the inconvenience he caused. "It was intended to be a humorous act and intended to be funny," he said. "It is clear from the television footage that some of the players were amused but he didn't know it was a criminal offence.
"Brodkin expressed his remorse immediately when he was spoken to by the club and the police and he does so again now.""Brodkin expressed his remorse immediately when he was spoken to by the club and the police and he does so again now."
The Jason Bent character pokes fun at the extravagant lifestyle enjoyed by some professional footballers. He features in Lee Nelson's Well Good Show, which Brodkin hosts and stars in.The Jason Bent character pokes fun at the extravagant lifestyle enjoyed by some professional footballers. He features in Lee Nelson's Well Good Show, which Brodkin hosts and stars in.
The BBC said he was not filming for the corporation on the day of the stunt.The BBC said he was not filming for the corporation on the day of the stunt.
Brodkin left the court in his Jason Bent persona, accompanied by his glamorous "girlfriend", Crystal, and read a series of jokes: "I've got a lot of people I want to thank. Firstly, Carlos Tevez for giving me a lift into court this morning," he said.Brodkin left the court in his Jason Bent persona, accompanied by his glamorous "girlfriend", Crystal, and read a series of jokes: "I've got a lot of people I want to thank. Firstly, Carlos Tevez for giving me a lift into court this morning," he said.
"Crystal, who's been there for me every step of the way ever since we met in the hotel last night. Thanks also to the judge, who was sat on the bench but unfortunately didn't get a game.""Crystal, who's been there for me every step of the way ever since we met in the hotel last night. Thanks also to the judge, who was sat on the bench but unfortunately didn't get a game."
Asked if he was mocking the judicial system, Brodkin made no reply and climbed into a waiting taxi.Asked if he was mocking the judicial system, Brodkin made no reply and climbed into a waiting taxi.
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