A DENTIST who lost a tooth in an unprovoked assault after the Burnley v Blackburn Rovers derby today said he felt sorry for the attacker after he was jailed for two months.

Blackburn dentist Chris Lees also called for an end to football violence and said: "This rivalry between Burnley and Blackburn Rovers is madness. It is time it was stopped."

Mr Lees had a tooth knocked out and suffered a black eye and bruising to his body when he was attacked from behind as he was making his way out of Turf Moor.

Drink and the emotional partisan atmosphere of the game turned "hard working family man, charity worker and popular sportsman" Ian Woods into "a yob" a court was told.

Burnley supporter Woods, 38, of Willow Tree Avenue, Haslingden, is today starting a two month prison sentence for assaulting Blackburn Rovers fan Mr Lees causing him actual bodily harm.

A court was told that Mr Lees was kicked twice and punched by Woods in an unprovoked attack.

The victim suffered a black eye, a tooth fractured at gum level as well as bruising and scraping to his body caused by the fall. Family and friends of Woods gasped and a number held their heads in their hands when the prison sentence was announced by District Judge Jonathan Finestein sitting at Preston magistrates' court.

Woods was also banned from attending league and international football games for six years and ordered to surrender his passport when international games are being played.

Afterwards victim Mr Lees saidhe had two distinct feelings about the sentence.

He said: "I think he got what he deserved. I was limping along after an operation when I was attacked from behind. The other side of the coin is that sadly a family man with a previous good character has ended up in prison. I feel sorry for him and his wife and children but it was an unprovoked cowardly attack."

Mr Lees, a Blackburn supporter for 22 years, has recovered from his injuries although is still having dental treatment.

Caroline Johnson, prosecuting, said Mr Lees went to the game with two friends. He was not wearing Blackburn Rovers colours when, after the game, Woods was seen shouting and swearing in an aggressive manner. Mr Lees tried to ignore him but as he was walking by he was kicked twice by Woods who said: "Your are scared aren't you?" He then punched Mr Lees, knocking him to the ground.

She added: "It was a totally unprovoked attack."

She said Woods had sent a letter to Mr Lees sincerely apologising for the pain and suffering he had caused to him and his family.

Philip Turner, defending, said Woods did not try to excuse his actions.

He went to the game with friends and their children, including his own godson, with no intention of causing trouble.

Afterwards he was waiting for a minibus to take him back when the incident happened. He could not explain his actions other than there had been an unpleasant atmosphere at the game and he had had some drink.

He was a man of good character with a full time job. He rose for work each day at 4am and in the afternoon was responsible for child care at his home while his wife was working.

He was second team captain of Rawtenstall Cricket Club where he helped to coach youngsters and was also involved in charity work.

Announcing his decision Mr Finestein said had taken his previous good character and his remorse into account. He added: "But you behaved just like a yob. It was yob culture in its very essence." He had to regard the offence as so serious that it merited a prison sentence.