A STAPLETON woman has been jailed and banned from football grounds after selling cocaine at a Bristol Rovers match.
Claire Brooks, of Sheldrake Drive, was arrested at Rovers’ Memorial Stadium in Horfield in April last year.
A quantity of white powder was found when she was searched was later found to be cocaine.
Police then searched her home and found more evidence of her involvement in the supply of the Class A drug, along with Class C designer drugs flubromazolam, deschloroetizolam and benzylpiperazine.
Brooks, aged 52, appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court in August and pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and possession of Class A and C drugs with intent to supply.
She was sentenced to two and a half years in prison at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday, when she was also given an eight-year Football Banning Order.
Dedicated football officer PC Mark Neal said: “Drugs are a blight on our communities and have no place in our society, including at football.
“I would like to thank Bristol Rovers for their support and co-operation during this investigation.
“The custodial sentence is one that reflects the seriousness of her offending, and the recent change in legislation in relation to possession or supply of Class A Drugs such as cocaine allows a football banning order to be issued.
“We work closely with our clubs to make sure our football matches are a safe environment for all and I would encourage people to report suspicious behaviour to us.”
Police have called on anyone who suspects someone of dealing to call 101 or report them online.