Middlesbrough FC Play-Off Fan Nicked For Lighting Flare Outside Wembley

A teenage Middlesbrough fan, who travelled to the Wembley play-off final with his parents and brother and sister, missed the match after being chased by police and arrested for holding a lit flare outside.

Apprentice joiner Kieran Brundle, 18, of Clover Hill Drive, Loftus, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Redcar and Cleveland suffered the additional misery of learning his team lost the game 0-2 to Norwich City, who were promoted to the Premier League.

He appeared at Hendon Magistrates Court today on a charge of throwing or casting a firework outside Wembley Stadium on May 25, contrary to the 1875 Explosive Act and was bound-over to keep the peace for six months in the sum of £100.

Brundle initially pleaded guilty to the offence, but the prosecution agreed to vacate the plea and withdraw the charge, allowing the teenager to keep his good character and not have a criminal record.

The court heard It was approximately 2.00pm when police saw a red flare being held by somebody in the crowd and when they approached Brundle he made off and was chased and apprehended.

When quizzed by officers Brundle them it was a smoke bomb and he panicked and ran when he saw them approach him.

“The whole family came down for the match, Mr. Brundle's brother and sister and mum and dad and they were waiting to go in,” said Mr. Andrew Benington, defending. “Someone gave him the item and you just pull a pin out and smoke comes out and he held it up.

“This offence is usually dealt with at the police station with a penalty notice. The lad's come down from Middlesbrough with his dad, a five or six hour trip, and they are keen to get back.

“I don't think we'll see him in court again unless it is a Christmas drink-drive when he is forty-five years-old.”