Leeds United fan knocked down boy in road rage incident after Elland Road match

A teacher knocked down a young boy and his uncle when she drove her car at a group of Leeds United fans leaving Elland Road.
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Amanda Rimmington swerved her car towards a group of fans after arguing with them over her driving as they were leaving the stadium.

Leeds Crown Court heard the 51-year-old Leeds United season ticket holder swerved towards supporters she had been arguing with.

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The vehicle struck a man who was carrying his young nephew on his shoulders as they made their way home.

Elland Road, the home ground of Leeds UnitedElland Road, the home ground of Leeds United
Elland Road, the home ground of Leeds United

Louise Pryke, prosecuting, said the car hit the man from behind and he went onto the bonnet.

The youngster landed on the ground and injured his back.

The boy had to be taken to hospital for observation after suffering bruising.

The incident took place on March 16 last year, shortly after the end of Leeds United's 0-1 home defeat to Sheffield United.

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Miss Pryke said fans were heading out of the ground and Elland Road was subject to traffic restrictions due to the high volume of pedestrians in the area at the time.

Witnesses described seeing Rimmington in a car on a private driveway.

An then argument broke out between the defendant and fans over her revving her engine and they suggested that she slow down.

Miss Pryke said there was then a "heated exchange" between Rimmington and her female passenger and two male fans.

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Witnesses said there was a lot of swearing and described "both parties being as bad as each other."

Rimmington suddenly turned her steering wheel towards the group, striking the man and causing injuries to the boy.

The defendant sped off after the collision.

When interviewed by police Rimmington, of Aspen Road, Gomersal, admitted being at the scene.

She said she did not swerve her car intentionally towards the supporters and that her steering wheel must have locked.

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Rimmington said she sped off from the scene as she was scared but did not realise she had hit someone.

The court heard the defendant was tearful when she discovered she had caused injuries to the boy.

She pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Sean Smith, mitigating, said Rimmington has no previous convictions and worked as a teacher in a pupil referral unit.

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Mr Smith said: "It will have an effect on her employment. She has disclosed her position but it will have to be looked at after today.

"That is a worry for her."

The barrister said Rimmington's husband is currently in hospital and her family would suffer if she was sent to prison.

Rimmington was made the subject of an 18-month community order.

She must also do 60 hours of unpaid work and was disqualified from driving for 12 months.

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Judge Robin Mairs said: "You are 51 years of age and you have a valuable job.

"I say valuable in the community sense of you working in a pupil referral unit. Not an easy job, I imagine.

"You lost your temper post-match at Elland Road.

"I have seen the CCTV footage. It is the usual scene of people milling around and the road is crammed with pedestrians at 4.55pm on a Saturday afternoon

"You know that because you are a season ticket holder."

Describing the incident, the judge said: "I accept that this was done to frighten, stupidly making a point perhaps, and not done to cause injury.

"But there was potential for real injury to be caused.

"That moment of rash stupidity could have been much, much worse.

"If (the boy) had fallen and cracked his head it may well have been a different charge and you may well have been going to prison."