THE area's top judge has hit out at the increase in 'off the ball,' violence in soccer matches and said it was spoiling the game.

Judge Raymond Bennett made his comments as he sent an amateur player who smashed an opponent's jaw after a tackle to prison.

He said it was up to the referee to decide whether a tackle was fair or not -- that was what they were for -- and in anybody' s view, player Dean Kelly, 29, had gone beyond getting even.

The judge sent the defendant to jail for four months and said the sentence had to be a warning to others that off the ball violence was not to be tolertaed.

He went on: "People who go and play football want exercise, enjoyment and entertainment. They do not expect to end up in hospital with a fractured jaw."

Kelly, of Hillside Avenue, Oakworth, Keighley, had admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm, last October.

The court heard victim Ian Coates had been playing for Barnoldswick Football Club's third team against the defendant's team, the Bronte Wanderers, from Yorkshire, at Victoria Park, Barnoldswick.

As Mr Coates was walking away from a tackle with Kelly, the defendant came up behind him and hit him, breaking his jaw. Mark Stuart, defending, said Kelly was quietly spoken and his demeanour totally belied the fact this was his third conviction for violence.

The defendant had worked hard for most of his life and he and another man had set up a business in Yorkshire, measuring up for and supplying tiles.

Mr Stuart said as far as the defendant was concerned he was fouled, he was not awarded a free kick and as Kelly got up -- both men went to the ground -- Mr Coates had gone to elbow him.

The referee thought he had not made contact, but the defendant thought he had. Because of that, he lost his temper and went and hit the complainant. He did not condone that for one moment and very much regretted it.

Mr Stuart said it was not a case of a person going out looking for trouble. Kelly had not gone to a nightclub, had too much to drink and struck somebody.

He added the defendant accepted he should have left it up to the referee to send Mr Coates off or book him, or take whatever action he thought appropriate.

Kelly, who was separated from his wife and had a child, was willing to do community service and pay compensation.

A short period of incarceration would create short-term difficulties for the defendant's wife and also cause real problems for his business.