A THIN blue line of police officers confronted more than 200 Leeds United supporters who were bent on trouble with Blackburn fans leaving Ewood Park.

Blackburn magistrates heard just 15 officers battled to keep the two factions apart before they were joined by reinforcements including mounted officers and dog teams.

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The court was told the officers had drawn and used their batons against the Leeds fans who were also charged by police horses.

And during the incident at the Darwen end, police horses were punched and blows were aimed at officers.

James Benjamin Hogan, 39, of Tennyson Street, Halifax, pleaded not guilty but was convicted after trial of using threatening behaviour.

He was remanded on bail until February 25 for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Police sergeant Lee Turner told the court he was on duty at the Darwen Street end after the match had finished. Fighting broke out and he and colleagues formed a line to try and keep the two factions apart.

PS Turner said initially there were 12 constables, two sergeants and an inspector who quickly radioed for assistance.

He said they were confronted by between 200 and 250 Leeds fans who were very agitated and threatening.

“A number ran at the police line kicking out and the violence became that bad we all drew batons,” said Sergeant Turner.

“I have been a police officer for 13 years and the level of violence coming from the Leeds fans was the worst I have seen. I had to strike several people to get them back.”

Sergeant Turner said a number of missiles were thrown at the officers before police reinforcements arrived and enabled them to push the Leeds fans back.

Towards the end of the incident he saw Hogan approach the police line with clenched fists and shouting abuse and threats. He directed abuse directly at sergeant Turner who eventually arrested him.

He said Hogan was under the influence of alcohol.

Simon Farnsworth, defending, said his client had been honest in admitting he had drunk ‘five or six’ pints before going to the match and admitted being in the group that confronted police.

But Hogan denied making ant threats or trying to hit anybody and claimed that it was a case of mistaken identity.

Hogan said he had moved with the crowd because he didn’t want to get hit with a baton.

“There was a lot of pushing and shoving and the next thing I felt was a hand pulling me back through the police line and down to the floor,” said Hogan.