An unsuspecting football fan was stunned when he took an innocent phtograph of his ballboy son – and was branded a terror suspect.
Property investor Martin Hogg, 60, was snapping son Freddie, 14, when he turned out as a ballboy in Ipswich Town’s defeat to Leicester City last Saturday.
After taking pictures of Freddie at pitchside he was followed back to his seat by stewards who accused him of taking shots of the stands at Ipswich’s Portman Road stadium.
He was told by the stewards he was being questioned on suspicion of a terrorist act and escorted to a nearby training pitch where he was interrogated by a club official.
The season ticket holder, from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, said he was furious with the club’s blunder.
Martin said: “This guy got things completely out of proportion.
“Here’s this old man taking photographs of his little boy – the ball boy – and I’m being detained under the provisions of the Terrorism Act.
“I told him ‘I’ve been taking pictures of my boy Freddie. This is absolutely ludicrous, you’re not going to see my photographs’.”
Mick Warden, ITFC head of safety, said: “At the request of the police as part of anti-terrorism measures nationwide, stadium staff at all grounds are advised to question anyone suspected of taking photos of stadium structures.
“We also have to be mindful of those from the crowd taking photos of children.
“Mr Hogg was spotted by two stewards and discreetly asked to show the stand manager the photos he had taken.
“Initially he refused but then relented and the stand manager was happy with the content and Mr Hogg returned to his seat.”
Ipswich Town’s defeat to Leicester City last Saturday.
Ipswich won 1-0.