A Wigan Athletic fan who claimed he picked up a flare at a derby match against Bolton Wanderers has been acquitted of possession of a flare. Cameron Hendy, of North Down Road in Plymouth, said that whilst celebrating a goal for his team he went to pick up the blue flare which had been thrown near to where he was standing in order to prevent a potential fire.
The 28-year-old picked up the flare for five seconds, raising it above his head before handing it to a police officer on April 2, 2022, Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Court heard. Video footage showed the council security officer celebrating the goal at the DW Stadium before being alerted to the smoke bomb by a steward.
The short video clip shows him making a gesture that ‘gesticulates masturbation’, before picking up the flare and waving it above his head, prosecution lawyer Stephanie Ball said.
