Man who blagged his way into Wembley for Champions League final may face jail
Steven Carruthers and his four-year-old son had photos taken with fashion model Naomi Campbell and heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk, before they watched the game between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund from top-tier seats worth £21,800 'at the lowest', the prosecutor at Willesden Magistrates' Court said.
The 34-year-old dad, from Hull in East Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to one count of obtaining services dishonestly. Rachna Gokani, prosecuting, told the court: 'The defendant involved his young son who was four years old at the time in order to assist his illegal entrance into the stadium. He was wearing a suit for the specific purpose of looking like he was entitled to these services.'
Ms Gokani added Carruthers went on to 'advertise his offending' in a national newspaper. She said: 'He went to the Daily Mail and a football-related publication, essentially boasting about gaining entry – something he said he had done previously. Mr Carruthers was boasting precisely that he met Naomi Campbell and the heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk and other celebrities.'
Quoting a probation officer who met Carruthers prior to the hearing, Ms Gokani added: 'He had no shame or remorse and was clearly proud of what he had accomplished.'
The court heard Carruthers and his son enjoyed an exclusive hospitality area which regular members of the public were not able to purchase. He watched as the Spanish giants defeated Dortmund 2-0 in the match played on June 1, 2024.
Ms Gokani said: 'The most expensive hospitality package available on that day was £10,900 per person. The hospitality area which Mr Carruthers entered is on a hospitality package which basically exceeds that. It's only available for certain VIPs, members of the public cannot purchase it.
"Mr Carruthers himself refer to a cost of about £20,000 for tickets, so he is plainly aware of the levels we are dealing with.'
Ms Gokani said the offending and its subsequent 'advertisement' in the national newspaper posed security risks for Wembley Stadium, and prompted the Football Association to prosecute Carruthers.
Referring the 2020 Euro final mass disorder incident, when more than 2,000 people stormed their way into Wembley, she said: 'The devastating events of that day are why they (the FA) take offences such as this seriously. There are real risks in terms of disorder, health and safety, and the status of the stadium.'
Carruthers, who represented himself in court, apologised after he was told the offence carried a maximum sentence of three years in jail. He said: 'I'm regretful of what I did, it really does worry me about jail, to be honest. I don't really want to ruin my kids' future.'
Lead magistrate Laura Mee told the defendant the case is to be transferred to crown court for sentence as the serious nature of the offence exceeds the magistrates' sentencing powers. Carruthers told the panel as he left the dock: 'I think it's excessive, I've not hurt anyone.'
He will be sentenced at Harrow Crown Court, the date of the hearing has not yet been fixed.
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