Hartlepool United fan cleared of trying to provoke violence during heated League Two Bradford City match

Season ticket holder Oliver Mole, 28, was charged following his behaviour at the League Two match against Bradford City on March 15 which the visitors won 2-0.

He admitted making obscene gestures and swearing towards a Bradford fan being escorted out of the ground.

But he was found not guilty of using threatening, abusive, insulting words or behaviour towards another with intent to cause fear of immediate unlawful violence.

CCTV footage played in a trial at Teesside Magistrates Court showed Mr Mole going into the ground’s F Block which was closed due to safety issues.

He was joined by a number of other Hartlepool fans in the section.

Mr Mole was shown making a rude hand gesture towards the away end and admitted swearing.

It coincided with Bradford going one goal up and a Bradford fan being escorted out the ground for allegedly assaulting a Hartlepool steward.

Michael Rose, prosecuting, said: “He (Mr Mole) leads the pack as it were to begin with.

"He’s clearly making obscene gestures to the Bradford fans. He’s shouting something which one can say with 100% certainty isn’t a friendly greeting.”

Mr Rose asked Mr Mole: “What on earth did you expect to happen when you were doing this?”

He said: “They were doing exactly the same. Things got heated when they scored.

"They were intimidating, leaning over the barrier, shouting and swearing.”

Mr Mole was also accused of spitting over a barrier towards police and the away end, as well as drumming as fans allegedly made offensive chants about Cleveland Police.

He denied spitting and said he did not intend to provoke violence.

Andrew Teate, defending Mr Mole, of Celandine Gardens, Hartlepool, said: “While this is unpalatable behaviour, it’s the behaviour that one sadly comes to expect at a public football match.

"But it does not constitute a man seeking immediate unlawful violence with intent.”

Finding Mr Mole not guilty, chairman of the bench Heather Goodwill said while his behaviour fell well below what was expected of a supporter it did not meet the threshold for the charge.

She told him: “I think you need to watch what you do and take this as a huge lesson.”