A self-styled YouTube prankster who collided with England batter Jonny Bairstow after invading the pitch at The Oval during a Test match has been found guilty in court of aggravated trespass.
Daniel ‘Jarvo’ Jarvis, 34, crashed into an unsuspecting Bairstow at the non-striker’s end after sprinting onto the field to bowl at Ollie Pope on day two of the fourth Test against India last year.
Jarvis, who has a YouTube account with more than 170,000 subscribers, was arrested over the stunt on September 3, 2021, and later charged with aggravated trespass.
At Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, District Judge Daniel Benjamin said: “The issue in the case is straightforward, namely whether he intended to disrupt the Test match.”
He concluded this was Jarvis’ intention, adding: “I find Mr Jarvis guilty of aggravated trespass.”
Jarvis, who self-represented after his request to adjourn the case was dismissed, was unshaven, wearing an EA7 Emporio Armani hoodie and tracksuit bottoms while clutching a Gucci bag.
The court was shown broadcast footage of him running onto the pitch, plus a video he recorded showing him hiding in a toilet before sprinting on to the field after receiving a phone call telling him to go.
The court also viewed videos of him invading the pitch at two previous cricket matches between England and India, at Lord’s on August 12 and at Headingley on August 25.
During cross-examination, prosecutor Nicola Grindey said: “When you ran out you could see one of the England players in full batting gear – you ran into him.
“You knew you weren’t allowed on the pitch because you have been on cricket pitches before and been asked to leave.”
Jarvis said he had not been arrested for the first two pitch invasions, claiming he did not believe he was “breaking any law” and “no-one has been prosecuted for these things before”.
He told the court: “I didn’t intend to disrupt the match. I didn’t know when I was coming out. Why wasn’t I arrested before? Why is everyone attacking me for it?”
He said he gets “positive feedback” on his videos, which he makes for “people’s pleasure”, adding: “I get loads of people saying they have got mental health and my videos make them happy.”
He answered “no comment” to every question when interviewed by police, the court heard.
Jarvis claimed he did not believe he was trespassing because he had a ticket, claiming people “run out naked” during games but do not get arrested.
He told the judge he “accidentally” made contact with Bairstow, admitting “I can’t remember the man’s name”.
Jarvis was granted unconditional bail, the judge adjourning sentencing at the same court until October 19.
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