Blues fan banned for four years after post-derby violence at Wolverhampton train station

Walsall Magistrates Court heard how officers ‘feared they had lost control’ as a large group of fans from both sides scrapped outside the station following the match on February 24.

Birmingham City fan Kyran Pearce, aged 21, of Ivycroft Road, Tamworth, was punched by officers who had attempted to break up a fight between him and a Wolves fan, the court heard.

Pearce pleaded guilty to one count of using threatening behaviour with intent to cause fear of violence and was given a four year football banning order by magistrates.

Prosecuting, Mrs Val Hart, said: “Officers had been attempting to break up a fight between Pearce and another football fan, they had tried ordering them to stop by shouting and as they grabbed the two men, they continued to fight.

“Even as they fell to the floor, they continued to try and fight one another and were only stopped when an officer punched the defendant.

“An officer describing the scene in general later said that he feared for the safety of his officers as they were hit, had furniture from inside the station thrown at them and were separated from one another as the fights broke out.

“He said that he feared that in the eyes of the public, they had lost control of the situation.”

The court heard that Pearce was not a regular goer to football matches and that he had got involved in the fight due to seeing fellow Birmingham fans in trouble. Defending, Ms Rachel Mason, said: “In terms of the conduct of both sets of fans on the whole that day, there was far worse than the defendants. He had seen Birmingham and Wolves fans fighting and went in after seeing Birmingham fans in trouble.

“He has lost his good character now and he knows he shouldn’t have got involved.

“There were clearly issues between the fans but he should have walked away.” Pearce was given a one year community order with the condition of carrying out 80 hours unpaid work, as well as being told to pay costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £85.

Mrs Aline Sherlock, chief magistrate, said: “We don’t believe that you were an innocent bystander who went in to help your fellow supporters.

“You were seen by police covering your face, pulling a boxing stance and throwing punches.

“You obviously can’t be blamed for the wider fights, as they were already happening, but you contributed to the scene which caused police officers to fear they had lost control.”

Wolves fan Curtis Fletcher, aged 50, of Springfield Road, Wednesfield, has been charged with affray in relation to the match. He pleaded not guilty at Walsall Magistrates and will go on trial at Dudley Magistrates on June 6.