CRIMINALS face football and pub bans under tough community punishment laws.
Judges are getting new powers to prevent offenders — including shoplifters and sex pests — doing things they enjoy, such as going to matches or gigs and travelling abroad.
Courts will also be able to slap them with driving limits and prevent them going to specific areas.
Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, pictured above, said: “With the football season back in full swing, I know Sun on Sunday readers nationwide will be back on the terraces this weekend.
“But if you’re a criminal who loves the game, we’re bringing in new laws to hit you where it hurts.
“Judges will have new powers to ban offenders from matches — leaving the stands for law-abiding fans.
“Courts will be able to take away more freedoms — banning offenders from sports, gigs, pubs and holidays. The message is simple: break the law and we’ll take away the things you love.
“For the most dangerous criminals, jail will always be the only option, and we are building 14,000 prison places.”
Under a law change coming in later this year, bans can be handed down as a form of punishment for any offence in any circumstance.
And it will apply to those on a community order as well as criminals just released from prison.
Those who break the rules face being brought back to court or prison — which officials hope will act as a deterrent to reoffending.
Government sources said they will be able to enforce it by increasing the use of tags to monitor a person’s location.
Currently, judges can only give out limited bans for specific crimes, such as those committed inside a football stadium on match day.
Offenders coming out of prison face similar restrictions and an expanded mandatory drug-testing regime.
Ms Mahmood added: “When criminals break society’s rules, they must be punished.”
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