A SOCCER fan who joined in town centre trouble after the England v Sweden World Cup match told police it was "just instinct."

Burnley Magistrates heard how Mark Smith, 27, seemed to make a bee-line for the trouble in Burnley after the game last June 2.

Smith, who has nine previous convictions for public order offences, was rumbled after his picture appeared in the local press. He then went to the police station and handed himself in.

The defendant was fined £200, with £69 costs by the bench who told him they were concerned about his criminal record for disorder.

Smith, of Reedley Road, Reedley, Burnley, admitted threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

Joanne Shahzada, prosecuting, said at about 5pm police were called to a disturbance as people spilled out into Bull Street from the pubs. The fracas was captured on video, and in interview, Smith admitted he was on the footage.

The defendant walked into Bull Street carrying a bottle, was pushed back by the police and shouted abuse. A gang was on the street, shouting, chanting and fighting among themselves.

Miss Shahzada said the defendant later told officers he did not know what made him get involved in the melee, but it was "just instinct."

When it was pointed out to him by police he had seemed to head straight for the trouble, he made no comment.

Graeme Tindall, defending, said Smith was not arrested on the day but came to the attention of the police after his picture appeared in local newspapers.

He had gone to the police station voluntarily. Smith was at first charged with violent disorder, that was amended to affray and he had now faced the threatening behaviour allegation instead.

The defendant accepted he had had drink on the day and did not know what all the trouble was about.

Mr Tindall said Smith was upset that a man he knew was struck from behind and knocked to the ground. He took exception to that. Smith did not use any actual violence but accepted he used words that would threaten violence in that scenario.