ONE of Lincoln's most well-known criminals has breached a football banning order.

Martin Dent failed to sign in at West Parade police station before England's 2-1 victory in a friendly with Japan two weeks before the World Cup.

Lincoln magistrates heard Dent had been told to visit police before every England game beyond UK shores.

Prosecutor Jim Clare said Dent was handed a six-year banning order in April 2008.

He said: "He said he had been drinking the night before and simply forgot to do it."

The court was told it was the first breach of the order.

Dent, 30, of Swift Gardens in Lincoln, admitted the breach.

He apologised to magistrates.

He said: "I didn't know they were playing.

"It was on a Sunday afternoon and they don't normally play on a Sunday."

He was handed a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £20 costs.