A MAN has been banned from attending football matches or catching the Metrolink for a racially aggravated public order offence.

Ryan John Healey, aged 30, of Porchester Drive, Radcliffe, was handed a criminal behaviour order at Stockport Magistrates Court, which bans him from using any Metrolink service for five years and he is barred from attending football matches in the UK for the next 10 years.

The order comes after Healey was arrested in December 2019 for a racially aggravated offence on a Metrolink service.

Chief Inspector Gareth Firth of GMP's Transport Unit, said: “Everyone should feel safe when using the transport network in Greater Manchester.

" We will not tolerate any form of racism or hate crime on our networks and today's result shows that we are prepared to take firm action against those involved in this kind of offensive behaviour.

"Working in partnership with local authorities and TfGM, officers within the Transport Unit are there to provide visible reassurance to those using public transport and I hope this order will send a clear message to anyone considering being abusive to other passengers."

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said it would not tolerate such incidents on its service.

TfGM’s head of Metrolink, Danny Vaughan, said: “The TravelSafe Partnership works hard to deter crime and antisocial behaviour on public transport and incidents such as this are, thankfully, extremely rare."

He added“We will not tolerate any behaviour that undermines public safety or confidence and this case should act as a warning and strong deterrent to others.”