Blackpool fan rapped in smoke canister shame

Mark Rushton had been to watch The Seasiders in their friendly at Lancaster City on July 11 this year.

He and other fans were being monitored by police and at one stage in Lancaster he was given an official dispersal order by an officer telling him to leave the city.

Rushton replied by stating: “I travel round the country watching Blackpool but I don’t deserve that.”

Rushton, 24, a roofer from Riversway, Marton, admitted setting off the smoke canister endangering the safety of people on the railway when he appeared before Blackpool Magistrates.

Adrian Hollamby, prosecuting, told the court that police travelled with Rushton and other fans on their way home.

At Preston station Rushton was warned about his language.

“It was when he got off at Poulton he was seen gesticulating at the departing train.

“He then walked towards the stairs and set off the canister which billowed out tangerine smoke.

“The incident was caught on CCTV,” said the prosecutor.

Rushton was arrested at his home and in interview told police he accepted people might be scared by what he had done but maintained it was not a flare he had used.

Daniel Frazer, defending, said: “When my client said to the officer in Lancaster that he did not deserve it it was because he believed the officer had struck him.

“He apologises for what he did.”

Rushton was ordered to do 80 hours unpaid work and told to pay court costs of £80, the criminal courts charge of £180 and £60 victims’ surcharge.