Drunk Toon
KERRIDGE ADMITTED TO SQUARING UP TO OFFICER AFTER AWAY MATCH
Reporter A NEWCASTLE United fan has admitted being drunk and disorderly after squaring up to a police officer following an away game.
Karl Kerridge was arrested and charged with being drunk and disorderly following United’s 1-0 defeat against Huddersfield Town on August 20.
The 40-year-old was among a group who were warned by officers at Newcastle Central Station for their behaviour after getting off a train.
Prosecutor Holly Common told Newcastle Magistrates’ Court Kerridge was unsteady on his feet and smelled of vodka when three police officers spoke to him due to the group’s chanting and swearing.
Miss Common said: “After the train pulled into the station, he approached the officers and said he would only accept responsibility for his own actions.”
Kerridge, who has one previous conviction from 2002, then got in the officer’s face, squared up to him and repeated the same thing causing the officer to have to push him away.
“The officer reported his actions as being aggressive in manner and he was arrested for being drunk and disorderly,” Miss Common added.
Ian Cassidy, defending Kerridge, said there was no evidence his client was swearing and chanting or a part of this group and he approached the officer because he thought he hadn’t done anything.
Mr Cassidy said: “He had the audacity to ask them what they were challenging him about.
“He accepts that he was drunk and he accepts that he must have been disorderly.
“This has been a very stressful experience for him all round.
“He hasn’t been in trouble for 15 years and it is unlikely that he will be any trouble again.”
Kerridge pleaded guilty to once count of drunk and disorderly.
Chair of the Bench, Keith McIntosh, told Kerridge: “It’s been a long time since you were before the courts.
“In any event you accept that you acted unwisely and we take that on board – also the fact that you pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.”
Kerridge, of Avon Street, Gateshead, was given a conditional discharge for six months and ordered to pay an £85 victim surcharge.