Tranmere Rovers fan’s wrongful ‘stroke arrest’

Nov 10 2010 by Luke Traynor, Birkenhead News

A TRANMERE Rovers fan was wrongly arrested after police mistook his stroke symptoms for drunkenness.

Steven Renton was thrown out of Bristol Rovers’ Memorial Stadium halfway through a match in March.

The 47-year-old was charged by cops and ordered to attend a two-day trial at the city’s magistrates court.

But the avid Rovers fan was acquitted last week after a doctor’s note confirmed a stroke Mr Renton suffered two years ago can sometimes leave him looking drunk.

The Wirral man was forced to travel to Bristol on five separate occasions for the proceedings – getting up at 2am for each journey – at a cost of more than £400.

After the verdict Mr Renton said: “It’s a big weight off my shoulders.

“I could have faced a football banning order if found guilty and I’ve never been in trouble with the police before.”

Police told magistrates Mr Renton stank of booze, was slurring his speech and struggling to control himself.

Prosecutor Kevin Withey said Mr Renton had drunk six cans of Carling lager and was arrested because of his erratic behaviour.