Spurs fan guilty of Hillsborough mocking

Kieron Darlow, a 23-year-old Tottenham supporter, has pleaded guilty in court to making gestures mocking the victims of the Hillsborough disaster at Anfield. The offence occurred just over a fortnight after the 34th anniversary of the tragedy and Darlow was accused of making pushing gestures during the 4-3 tie between Liverpool and Tottenham at the end of April. According to ITV, he was charged with intentionally causing harassment, alarm or distress and pleaded guilty, attending the Bootle Magistrates Court this week. Darlow was believed by police officers to have been drunk and was said to be “laughing throughout the display” at Anfield, situated near the divide between home and away supporters in the Anfield Road Stand. He accepted at court that it was his intention that Liverpool fans should see this and that it would cause them harassment, alarm and distress. He admitted that his behaviour was unacceptable and regrets his actions, apologising to the fans who saw it and to Tottenham Hotspur football club and the court. This sort of behaviour is not only unacceptable, it is criminal. In January of last year, Shrewsbury banned two of their supporters for eight years after footage mocking Hillsborough victims in the city centre and an 18-year-old was arrested outside Anfield for similar offences, but was later released pending further inquiries. On a number of occasions this season, Liverpool supporters have faced tragedy chanting from rival fans, including in recent meetings with Man City and Chelsea. Darlow will now be sentenced on June 13.