A MAN was bitten on the leg by a police dog after football fans clashed with police at a railway station, a court has heard.

Andrew Baker, 28, allegedly kicked the animal in the head during the violent disturbance at Thornaby railway station, Teesside.

Teesside Crown Court heard that Mr Baker was among an estimated 170 Hartlepool fans who were changing trains at Thornaby on their way home from a derby match at Darlington on March 1 last year.

Police officers, who had also been policing a home match involving Middlesbrough and Everton, had decided to cordon off the Thornaby station entrance, because they feared trouble if some of the fans were allowed to exit onto nearby Stockton High Street.

But things turned nasty and a number of fans turned on police officers, throwing bottles and shouting obscenities.

Prosecuting, Nigel Wray said that, after a group of about 40 to 50 fans had surged towards the police cordon, three police dog handlers were sent forward in a bid to drive the crowd back.

Mr Baker was said to be among a group of men adopting a "fighting stance" and he was seen to kick a police dog in the head, which responded by biting his leg.

The defendant, who required hospital treatment, was arrested but denied having kicked the dog. Instead, the defendant claimed he was simply trying to get out of the way.

The jury in Mr Baker's trial was shown a video of the disturbance, which was captured on CCTV cameras.

Giving evidence, Sergeant Nigel Ashworth, of the British Transport Police, said police had called for back-up to quell the situation, which ended when a train heading to Hartlepool pulled into the station.

He claimed fans had chanted: "We love Harry Roberts - he kills coppers."

Defence counsel Adrian Strong, cross-examining Sgt Ashworth, said Mr Baker was not in the group confronting officers and, in fact, had turned away when he was attacked by the police dog from behind.

Mr Baker, of Whitworth Gardens, Hartlepool, pleaded not guilty to a charge of violent disorder, together with three or more persons unknown.

The trial continues.