Six Manchester United fans in court over disturbance at Blackburn Rovers game

11:44am Tuesday 29th April 2008

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SIX Manchester United fans have appeared in court following a large number of arrests before, during and after the game at Blackburn Rovers on April 19.

Eddie Harrison, prosecuting, told Blackburn magistrates that about 300 police officers had been deployed on the day of the match at Ewood Park on Saturday April 19 because of widespread trouble at the corresponding fixture last season.

A total of 64 fans were arrested, 61 of them United supporters.

Jonathan Slater, 32, of Ashburnham Road, Northampton, pleaded not guilty to being drunk and disorderly in the Fernhurst pub and was remanded on bail.

Christopher Walford, 18, of Cartmel Close, Winsford, Cheshire, pleaded guilty to the same charge and was given a conditional discharge for six months and ordered to pay £50 costs.

Ian Huggan, defending, said his client was currently studying for his A levels and had an offer of a place at Durham University.

"He accepts he had too much to drink and became disorderly," he added.

Marcus Webster, 18, of Highgate Lane, Stalmine, Poulton-le-Fylde, another A level student, pleaded not guilty to using threatening behaviour and was remanded on bail.

David Anthony Merrack, who was one of a number of people who ran onto the pitch when United scored a late equaliser, was not made subject to a football banning order after the magistrates accepted it had been an "isolated and impulsive" action.

Merrack, 20, a management trainee, of Chosen Drive, Churchdown, Gloucester, pleaded guilty to going onto the playing area and was fined £100 with £65 costs.

Ian Huggan, defending, said there was no risk of violence or disorder from his client in the future.

"This was a moments stupidity which was totally out of character," said Mr Huggan, who produced a bundle of character references.

"He has never been involved in any disorder before despite travelling all over the country and to European away matches to watch his team.

"At the slightest hint of trouble he moves away and that had already happened when things became a bit lively in the Fernhurst before the game."

Nikki James Benson, 19, of Whitley Road, Collyhurst, Manchester and Kyle Buckley, 18, of Manchester Road, Droylsden, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a direction given by a police officer to leave the area and not return.

They were both fined £50 with £65 costs and made subject to football banning orders for three years.

The court heard that both men got off a train at Darwen where they were confronted by police officers.

Acting on intelligence provided by Greater Manchester Police, both men were ordered to leave and put on the next train back to Manchester.

But they got off in Bolton and returned in a taxi.

They were arrested when they were seen near the ground. Neither had a ticket.