Angry footballer faces jail ‘for trying to mow down referee with car’

LONDON - An angry footballer who tried to mow down the referee by driving onto the pitch is now facing jail.

Joseph Rimmer, 28, attempted to plough into referee David Harkness after being sent off while playing for Southport and District Sunday league team Lonsdale.

Rimmer was playing against rival team Harrington on council-run pitches in Southport, Merseyside, on February 14 when he was shown a red card for a wild tackle.

He stormed off but returned driving a car onto the pitch. The court was told he aimed his vehicle at terrified Harkness who managed to jump out of the way at the last minute.

Now Rimmer faces possible custody when sentenced on November 19 after pleading guilty to affray at Liverpool Crown Court.

“He drove on to the pitch in an attempt to get the match abandoned. He accepts he drove towards the referee and his comments and threats to the referee when he got out the car amount to affray,” The Daily Express quoted Philip Tully, who was defending Rimmer in court, as saying.

Judge Adrian Lyon granted bail on condition he kept away from local league games and Harkness. (ANI)