A FOOTBALL fan has been cleared of violent disorder at a North-East train station.

Lee Alan Atkinson, 20, of Lithgo Close, Hartlepool, was charged along with eight other Darlington and Hartlepool fans.

Yesterday at Teesside Crown Court, Judge Richard Lowden directed the jury to find him not guilty of the charge after the prosecution offered no evidence.

Leslie Paul Gibbon, 31, of Sydenham Road, Liam David Philips, 21, of Fernwood Avenue, and Gregory Swinbourne, 32, of Cowper Grove, all Hartlepool, are charged with violent disorder at York Railway Station on March 11.

Mark Blackett, 33, of Cedar Road, Darlington, Ian Charles Bailey, 23, of Jesmond Gardens, Hartlepool, and Michael Hawdon, 29, of Mildred Street, Darlington, are charged with violent disorder at Darlington Railway Station on the same date.

Addison, 31, of Bartlett Street, Darlington, Neil Eglintine, 29, of Hurworth Street, Hartlepool, and Mr Atkinson, Mr Gibbon, Mr Swinbourne and Mr Philips are charged with affray on a train.

The alleged offences are all said to have happened as the two sets of rival fans travelled back from away fixtures in London last year.

The eight deny charges against them.

The trial continues.