SUNDERLAND supporters leaving Ewood Park in a minibus threw bottles and cans and spat at Blackburn Rovers supporters, a court heard.

And the violent reaction of three Blackburn fans landed them before the town's magistrates charged with threatening behaviour.

Daniel John Flaherty, 32, of Infirmary Road, Heath Lee Helm, 28, of Sudell Nook, and Paul Simon Hindle, 18, of Abbotsclough Avenue, all Blackburn, pleaded guilty and were each fined £60 with £40 costs. In addition, they were all banned from any football ground for three months.

Wendy Shackleton, prosecuting, said a group of Blackburn fans were near the Moorings pub when the Sunderland minibus passed and a bottle was thrown.

Helm ran at the bus and threw a glass object then aimed a martial arts style kick at the side of the bus. Hindle had banged on a window and then kicked the back door. Flaherty smashed a beer bottle against the bus. Alan Reece, defending Helm and Hindle, asked the magistrates to note where the trouble had started.

Stephen Parker, defending Flaherty, said the Sunderland fans banged on the windows and shouted abuse. They spat at the Blackburn fans and missiles, including bottles and cans, were thrown.

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