Leeds United fan told police he ‘was a d***’ after invading pitch at Elland Road and shoving Newcastle boss Eddie Howe
A Leeds United fan told cops ‘I am a d**k’ after invading a football pitch and attacking Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe.
David Derbyshire, 35, today pleaded guilty to assaulting the manager in extra time at the Elland Road ground as the teams were drawing 2-2.
He also admitted unlawfully entering the field of play of a designated football match without excuse on May 13, this year.
Prosecutor Miss Lyndsay Rose told Leeds Magistrates’ Court that on Saturday May 13 Leeds United were playing Newcastle United in a 12.30pm kick-off game at Elland Road.
‘In the 93rd minute, the defendant left the stand, walked down the stairs, onto the ground and walked towards the Newcastle United dug out,’ said Miss Rose.
‘He had a verbal altercation with Eddie Howe and pushed his left shoulder in the technical area.
‘The defendant was swiftly grabbed and escorted away. It was broadcast live on BT Sport.’
He was than arrested by West Yorkshire Police officers, who Derbyshire told: ‘I went on the pitch, I went on the pitch, I am a dick.’
Magistrates watched an eight second video clip of the incident.
‘It shows the defendant grab at him on the arm and saying something, and then pushed him with an open palm,’ said Miss Rose.
Miss Rose said the match was still in progress when the assault occurred.
She said the assault was not persistent and there was no use of a weapon.
Howe has made no witness statement regarding the assault.
Miss Rose said:’You can appreciate that it must have been quite startling for a fan to reach him where he was.’
The prosecutor said Leeds United have searched their ticketing system and cannot find Derbyshire’s name there, and it is unclear whether had a valid ticket for the game.
The court heard Derbyshire has already been served with a lifetime ban from Elland Road by Leeds United.
Mitigating Miss Kara Frith asked for a probation report before Derbyshire is sentenced.
She said he is now estranged from his partner because of this offence and is in supported housing.
After the incident, Howe said: ‘I actually can’t remember whether he pushed me or not, I’ve got no idea, it’s such a strange thing because you’re concentrating on the game and you don’t expect it to happen. He confronted me, said something that I can’t repeat and was then led away.
‘I’m OK. Moments like that do make you think about the safety of staff and players is paramount for me at any matches in the Premier League and Football League. We need to be mindful, security is so important.
‘I don’t know if I had time to be fearful because it was over in a flash but it certainly makes you think ‘what if’ and I think it is moments like this that should make people look and analyse how we can improve safety for staff and players.
‘No one should have to face that, playing a sport we love and trying to entertain the country, no one should feel like their own personal safety is violated. It is something for us to reflect on.’
Derbyshire will be sentenced in September.
