A SOCCER fan who battered a rival supporter in a Lancaster pub while they watched a crucial international has escaped jail.

Russell Mitchell "went mad" in the city's Keystone's pub as his Scotland team faced England in a European Championship play off last November.

The 20-year-old of Gressingham Drive, Lancaster, was placed on two years' probation by a judge at Preston Crown Court.

He pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, but denied wounding and this was accepted by the prosecution. The victim, England supporter Mark Hutton, had been watching the game in the pub. Mr Richard Howarth, prosecuting, said Mitchell became increasingly rowdy as the match progressed. A woman in the premises at the time saw his behaviour become more and more intolerable and offensive.

It reached the stage where he was so mad that he was spilling his drink. Mr Hutton went over and began speaking to him in an attempt to calm him down. He ended up being punched to the face, knocking him to the floor and then kicked over the left eye.

Another person was then alleged to have become involved in the attack. Mr Hutton needed five stitches to a cut above the eye.

Defence barrister Mr Dennis Watson said letters handed over to the court on Mitchell's behalf were impressive. The incident had brought him to his senses.

He was regarded as a key and valuable employee at work.

"He is deeply ashamed by what he did that night and does bitterly regret what happened.

"This moment of stupidity back in November is clearly serious. But there is an alternative to sending him to custody. He is a young man who wants to change."

Judge John Townend told Mitchell: "Any use of the boot is the use of a weapon. It does seem you have begun to get a grip of yourself. You have come as close as possible to being locked up."

In addition to being put on probation, Mitchell was ordered to pay £800 compensation and £200 costs.