THE Blackburn Rovers fan banned from football grounds for five years after pleading guilty to racially abusing Birmingham City striker Dwight Yorke said today he was 'ashamed beyond belief'.

Jason Perryman, 22, from Lawson Street, Chorley, who was also fined £1,000, said he begged for foregiveness after his taunting of the ex-Rovers star during Sunday's game at Ewood was captured by TV cameras and beamed across the globe.

Perryman, a warehouseman, was later arrested by police and charged with a racially aggravated public order offence. Today Perryman revealed he had supported Rovers since he was six years old.

He angered Yorke after doing impersations of a monkey as they player warmed up on the touchline nearby.

Yorke confronted him before stewards led Perryman away. The Trinidad and Tobago international later complained about the incident which led to the police investigation.

Perryman covered his face as he entered and left court - watched by much of the world's media - and refused to the answer the door of his terraced house in Chorley.

But he said: "I am so ashamed of what I have done. Racism has no place in football or in the world at large. I was drunk at the time but I know that is no excuse for what I did. There is no excuse for what I did, none at all, and I have to accept my punishment, which is why I pleaded guilty.

"I did not even realise what I had done until I saw it on the television. I know it was unacceptable and I will be writing to Dwight to apologise personally for what I have done.

"I will also be writing to John Williams Rovers' chief executive, Mark Hughes and the players to say sorry. Rovers are my heroes and I did not intend to bring the club's name into disrepute."

Perryman was told by magistrates he had "racially humiliated" Yorke and there was no place for such behaviour.

Michael Singleton, defending, said the defendant had been drinking before the match and was now ashamed of his behaviour.

"During the course of the game, it became apparent there were taunts being directed towards Dwight Yorke," Mr Singleton said.

"Those taunts were for the most part relatively light-hearted. Mr Perryman accepts he took matters further.

David Macro, prosecuting, said Yorke had expected some "jibes" but, while warming up on the touch line, became aware of the racist taunts.

"Mr Perryman was seen to be gesturing towards Mr Yorke, gesturing imitating a monkey using his arms moving up and down in that fashion to his armpits.

Another man charged in connection with an alleged incident denied the charge and his case was adjourned David Ashcroft, 21, of Brantwood Drive, Leyland was bailed to 22 December.