A DAD-of-three took a football trophy during a Gwent Amateur Cup final as a practical joke, a court heard.

Gareth Channing, aged 36, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to criminal damage at Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court yesterday. He was charged with damaging a silver trophy and wooden plinth belonging to the Gwent Football Association.

The damage was estimated to be £300. Channing was watching the Gwent Amateur Cup final at Pen-y-Pound in Abergavenny, on May 9.

Rob Simkins, prosecuting, said part of the cup, valued at £10,000, fell to the floor as Channing ran away with it. He took it out of the stadium and left it in a bush.

Scott Bowen, mitigating, said: “Mr Channing is really embarrassed to be in court. He was at the football match with friends and was not drinking.

“He said this makes it worse and even more stupid. It was a practical joke and he was not intoxicated at that time.” Mr Bowen said Channing panicked when he broke the trophy.

He added: “He’s aware of the expensive mistake he has made. It was done on a reckless basis. It was a joke and as I have said an expensive joke.” The court heard Channing has three previous convictions including one for criminal damage in 2009.

He was given a conditional discharge of six months. He was ordered to pay £150 compensation for the damage, prosecution costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £15.