A JUDGE has criticised police over moves to ban alleged football hooligans from travelling to Euro 2004 in Portugal.

District judge Paul Firth asked why it had taken police five months to bring the matter to court and why the prosecution then expected the defence to be ready to conduct trials in just three weeks.

"The summonses were not served until seven days ago and the evidence has not been served on the defence until today," said Mr Firth, sitting at Blackburn magistrates where 17 football fans, including a father and son, face applications for banning orders.

"The guideline for summary trial in criminal cases, agreed by, among others, a senior police officer, is a fraction short of five months from the first date of hearing.

"I wonder why it should be that the same police force in a case like this now expects the court and those who represent the respondents to have everything ready for a hearing within three weeks.

"If the application had come before this court in January, nobody could have complained or expected longer than the end of May to have their cases ready for a fair hearing," he said.

"I have heard no explanation for why it has taken until April 28 for these proceedings to come before the court for the first time."

Paul Schofield, who represents 15 of the 17 defendants, said the cases should have been before the court "months ago".

He pointed out that, even when all the preparation had been completed, there could still be problems with witness availability.

Mr Firth adjourned all matters until May 12.

He indicated he would not expect any trial to take place before June 1 "in fairness" to the respondents.

"I am told by the court listing officer that any trial organised for June will require setting up additional courts or cancelling trials that have already been set," he added.

The recipients for the football banning orders are: Damien Bradley, 33, of Rockliffe Street, Blackburn; Steven Collins, 20, of Alpine Close, Hoddlesden; Ashley David Fielding, 17, and his father Simon Fielding, 44, of Whalley Banks, Whalley. Sean Flaherty, 35, of Malvern Avenue, Blackburn.

Terence Gibson, 19, of Wolsley Street, Blackburn; Oliver Hickmott, 17, of New Wellington Close, Blackburn; Thomas Hosker, 33, of Franklin Street, Blackburn; Steven Maxwell, 19, of Montrose Street, Blackburn; Anthony McCallion, of Heys Court, Blackburn.

Adam Metcalfe, 19, of Hibson Road, Nelson; Ian Mitchell, 39, of Curzon Street, Clitheroe.

Gary Parker, 39, of Adelaide Terrace, Blackburn; Paul Scott, 33, of Cornelian Street, Blackburn; Paul Scott, 45, of Infirmary Street, Blackburn.

James Smith, 22, of Dukes Brow, Blackburn; and Paul Sutcliffe, 34, of Mossdale, Blackburn.