Fan became part of violent mob

An "intelligent and mature" Ludlow man became part of a violent mob when faced with opposing football supporters, a court heard.

Warren Pound, 37, was one of four Wolves fans handed a three-year ban from all matches for their part in crowd trouble during the visit of Stoke City to Molineux in February.

District Judge Martin Brown said he found the number of football-related offences that involved mature men who act out of character "utterly amazing".

The group appearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Friday involved three working men with families, including Pound, and a 21-year-old university student.

All four were arrested in the aftermath of the Midlands derby on February 9.

Pound, of Greenacres, Ludlow, Keith Wilding, 53, of Merry Hill, Wolverhampton, and Lee Craddock, 21, of Hednesford, all admitted using threatening words and behaviour, causing alarm and distress.

Aaron Miller, 24, of Heath Hayes, admitted using threatening words and behaviour with the intent of putting others in fear of violence.

Emma Wynne-Owen, prosecuting, said violence erupted after the game when missiles, including rocks, were thrown. "It was a large-scale disorder, with some fans becoming engaged in physical contact," she said.

She said bricklayer Pound, a season ticket holder, and Wilding, who had not been to the match, were seen in Railway Drive, off the Ring Road, shouting threats at police officers.

Craddock, a forensic science student at the Central Lancashire University in Preston, and new father Miller were each among fans who were hurling missiles, but claimed they did not throw anything themselves.

The court heard both had drunk a large amount of alcohol. The men did not know each other and none had any previous convictions. Sentencing, Judge Brown said: "As a football lover, I'm utterly amazed and completely fail to understand why people like you should want to behave in the way you did."

Pound and Miller were also fined £300, Wilding £200 and Craddock £100. All had to pay a £15 surcharge and £43 costs.

By Catherine Roche