A TEENAGER has been banned from football grounds for three years after admitting holding a smoke grenade during the Ewood Park FA Cup match against Stoke last month.

But the 20-year-old Stoke man who threw the grenade onto the pitch pleaded not guilty at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court, claiming his actions were prompted by concerns for himself and other fans around him.

The court was told that the man named as taking the firework into the ground and lighting it had not been charged with any offence.

Thomas Hope-Pickin, 18, of Park View Close, Stoke, pleaded guilty to possessing a firework during a designated sporting event. As well as the football banning order, he was fined £230 with £108 costs.

Alex Mann, prosecuting, said the incident happened at about 3.10pm, when deputy safety officer David Beresford saw Hope-Pickin holding the lit, red flare in the air for a few seconds before passing it to another man.

“That man threw the flare forward onto the pitch, landing just to the side of the 18-yard box,” said Mrs Mann. “The effects of flares in the crowd can be quite dramatic.

“They can cause health issues for people with breathing difficulties, can cause panic and obstruct the view of steps, which can have serious consequences.

“We don’t know if he took it in with him or whether it was passed to him, but we do know he had it in his hand and it was lit.”

Rebecca Dulson, defending, said her client had travelled by train to the game with friends.

“One of those friends, Jake Talbot, had possession of this flare and took it into the ground,” claimed Miss Dulson. “The defendant was unaware he had it. It was only when the other man lit it and then handed it to him that he knew it existed.

“He was in possession of it and then his friend took it off him and threw it onto the pitch,” said Miss Dulson. “The whole incident lasted about 15 seconds.”

“He has no previous convictions and nothing to suggest there have ever been any concerns. He is not a football hooligan.”

Adam Sheerman of Blenheim Street, Stoke, denied throwing a smoke grenade onto a football playing area. The case was adjourned. The court was told Sheeman claimed his actions were to protect himself and other people, including children, who were in the area.