A TALENTED amateur footballer accused of attacking other players has been handed an Anti-Social Behaviour Order banning him from playing the game in Cornwall.
Striker Glynn Hobbs, who once attracted interest from Manchester United, cannot take part in any organised match in Devon and Cornwall, a court has ruled.
Hobbs, who played for Bodmin Town, is also banned from being in any pub or nightclub between 8pm and 8am in Plymouth.
He cannot be found in an intoxicated condition through the consumption of drugs or alcohol in any public place in Devon and Cornwall.
He is prohibited from the city centre, North Hill and the Barbican – the city's night-time hotspots.
Hobbs is also banned from gathering in a group of four or more people "in a manner likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress" anywhere in Devon and Cornwall.
City magistrates made the interim order after hearing allegations that 26-year-old Hobbs had attacked and injured other players on the pitch. Hobbs, who has this year played for Carlsberg South West Premier League teams Bodmin and Plymouth Parkway, is expected to contest an application next month to extend the order to two years.
Plymouth City Council, applying for the ASBO, said in documents submitted to court: "He is an amateur footballer, who, on several occasions during the course of matches, has committed serious and deliberate violent assaults on other players."
The application was made after a request from police in Plymouth.
Hobbs, of Tamar Street, Devonport, has captained Railway Inn to the Plymouth and West Devon Division One trophy this year.
The authority also claims Hobbs went out drinking and looked for trouble.
Papers before the magistrates say: "He has a propensity to use and direct sustained violence, usually but not always following the consumption of alcohol, in public places and with little or no provocation against members of the public."
Magistrates agreed to make the seven-clause order at a hearing which Hobbs did not attend. The court ruled he had been properly served with the case papers.
Police have since served him with a copy of the interim order.
It states: "The respondent must not take part in any organised football match including five, six and seven-a-side games in Devon and Cornwall, or to represent any football team playing in any league administered by the Football Association."
Magistrates agreed to issue a summons to Hobbs to attend on June 7, when the court will consider whether to make a full order.
Hobbs, while playing for Tavistock five years ago, was offered a trial with Manchester United's reserves. He has also attracted the interest of Plymouth Argyle.
