Four town men deny taking part in trouble at Hartlepool United-Bradford City football match

Oliver Mole, aged 28, Allan Doxford, 26, Thomas Hay, 24, and 40-year-old Paul Johnson were arrested and charged in connection with alleged incidents during Pools’ home game against Bradford City on the night of March 15.

Each appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court, in Middlesbrough, to answer the charges for the first time on Tuesday, July 12.

Mole and Hay pleaded not guilty to using abusive, threatening words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress under Section 4 of the Public Order Act.

Doxford and Johnson, meanwhile, denied using abusive, threatening words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress under Section 5 of the Public Order Act.

Johnson, of Maxwell Road, Hartlepool, also denies possessing intoxicating liquor, said to be a can of Budweiser, in a view area of a sporting event.

Representing himself in court, he accepted being at the game but said it was non-alcoholic beer and denied he acted in a disorderly manner.

Johnson, and Mole, of Celandine Gardens, Hartlepool, are due to face separate trials on Wednesday, September 7.

Hay, of Percy Street, and Doxford, of Brecongill Close, both Hartlepool, are due back at the court on Tuesday, September 13, and Wednesday, September 14, respectively for their trials.

Seven men from the Bradford area were recently arrested in connection with alleged disorder at the same League Two game and Cleveland Police inquiries into the evening are continuing.