Apprentice welder caught on CCTV 'beckoning and goading' Derby fans at Boro match

An apprentice welder has landed himself in court after "engaging in fights" at a Boro match.

Fenton Blenkinsop, who 'doesn't usually attend football matches', was caught on CCTV during the matchday disorder ahead of the Derby County clash. The 21-year-old was "beckoning, shouting and goading" at the Rams fans at the Riverside Stadium clash on February 12.

The Boro fan appeared at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Friday. He pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive, insulting words, behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress in Middlesbrough.

Locked up in June: 'Monster' paedophile and 'hardest man in Stockton' among 20 jailed last month

Prosecutor Ben Woodward told how Blenkinsop was captured on CCTV cameras, along with a group of males, "engaging in fights" with Derby supporters. He added how Blenkinsop was "beckoning, shouting and goading" at the rival fans.

The court heard how "the group were throwing missiles" during the matchday chaos. Mr Woodward stated that Blenkinsop's actions crossed into the community threshold and would require input from the probation service.

The prosecutor also applied for a football banning order. Nick Woodhouse, mitigating, stated that Blenkinsop has no previous convictions and is in full-time employment as a welder, currently completing an apprenticeship.

Mr Woodhouse stated that there would be no objection to the football banning order sought by the prosecution. The magistrates' bench ordered a pre-sentence report to be prepared before Blenkinsop learns his fate.

Blenkinsop will return to Teesside Magistrates' Court on July 27 for sentencing. He was granted unconditional bail until that date. Before leaving the courtroom, Blenkinsop, of Peirse Close, Middlesbrough, told