PE teacher had flare during Norwich derby win over Ipswich

Nathan Moore, 33, who works at Thorpe St Andrew School, was one of four people charged for offences during the fiercely contested Norwich win over rivals Ipswich at Carrow Road last month.

Norwich Magistrates’ Court was told he and a co-defendant Oliver Liddle, 26, had held a lit yellow smoke flare aloft during jubilant celebrations after Marcelino Nunez scored in a 1-0 victory.

READ MORE: Four charged after arrests at East Anglian Derby

Rima Begum, prosecuting, said their actions in the area of the Barclay stand closest to the 2,020 away fans had been seen by stewards who had seen a flare being lit.  

CCTV footage had captured Moore waiving the flare around over his head and handed it to Liddle, she said.

Moore, of Burnt Fen Way in Hoveton, and Liddle, of Aberdare Court in Norwich, both pleaded guilty to possession of a firework or flare at a sporting event. 

The court was told the offence carried a maximum sentence of three months imprisonment.

Nathan Moore (right) works as a PE teacher at Thorpe St Andrew School (Image: Thorpe St Andrew School) 

David Foulks, for Moore, said it was unusual for him to attend Norwich matches and the incident had not led to any further disorder.

He said the flare had been lit by someone who had not been identified and had landed at his feet after being thrown.  

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“He did not bring the flare into the ground. He did not light it or throw it. He had it in possession for a very short time,” he added.

“The mistake he made was to pick it up and hold it.”

Liddle, who was unrepresented, told magistrates, it had been a “few seconds of madness during the heat of excitement.” 

Norwich City players celebrate following 1-0 win over derby rivals Ipswich (Image: PA)

Magistrates ordered Moore to pay fines and costs totalling £807 and Liddle totalling £509.

They declined a prosecution application for both to be banned from attending matches for three years saying it was “unsuitable in the circumstances”.  

Thorpe St Andrew School did not respond to requests to say if Moore had been disciplined over the incident.

READ MORE: 11 arrests as Norwich City beat Ipswich Town in derby clash

Norwich City said the club had its own sanctions panel which could look at further action against supporters convicted of offences at matches.  

Eleven arrests were made during the East Anglian derby at Carrow Road (Image: Focus Images)

In total 11 people were arrested for a range of offences including criminal damage and antisocial behaviour.

Another supporter, Tim Brown, 65, from Witham in Essex, also appeared at court charged with obstructing police and being drunk and disorderly.

Magistrates adjourned his case until July 4 after hearing his defence solicitor needed more time to view police body worn video of the incident