Everton pitch invader sentenced over rugby stunt

A pitch invader who appeared with the Australia team in full kit before their rugby league game against England has been given a suspended sentence.

Daniel Jarvis was seen on BBC coverage standing at the end of Australia's line-up during the national anthems before the game at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium in November.

The 37-year-old, from Gravesend, Kent, pleaded guilty to trespass.

He was given a 10 week sentence suspended for 12 months at South Sefton Magistrates' Court in Bootle.

Jarvis was also handed 20 days rehabilitation along with 150 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £500 in damages and a £154 court surcharge.

The court heard he has similar previous convictions, including for colliding with England cricketer Jonny Bairstow after invading the Oval pitch in 2021.

Jarvis told BBC Radio Merseyside outside court he was "ready for rehabilitation and I think everything happens for a reason".

"It's happened now and I accept my punishment."

The match was the first non-football event at Everton's new stadium, which opened earlier last year.

Australia won 14-4 to secure victory in the three-Test series.

Jarvis also invaded the pitch during an Ireland and England football match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin last year.

He was banned from attending all national and international games for five years.

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